Our Summary

This research paper is a review of the available evidence regarding the effectiveness of a certain type of nose surgery, called septoplasty. This surgery is often used to treat adults who have difficulty breathing due to a deviated nasal septum, which is when the cartilage in the nose that separates the nostrils is off-center or crooked. The paper also examines whether combining septoplasty with another surgery, known as turbinate surgery, is more beneficial than septoplasty alone.

The researchers looked at several studies, but found none that compared septoplasty (either alone or combined with turbinate surgery) to non-surgical treatments. They did find 11 studies that compared septoplasty with and without turbinate surgery. However, they found that the quality of these studies was generally poor, which makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions from them.

The studies generally showed that patients’ conditions improved after surgery. However, most of the studies found no additional benefit from adding turbinate surgery to septoplasty.

In conclusion, while septoplasty is a common treatment for nasal obstruction due to a deviated septum, the researchers found that the current evidence does not strongly support its effectiveness. They also found little evidence to suggest that adding turbinate surgery to septoplasty provides any additional benefit.

FAQs

  1. What is the effectiveness of septoplasty versus non-surgical management for nasal obstruction due to a deviated nasal septum?
  2. Is there any additional benefit of conducting concurrent turbinate surgery with septoplasty?
  3. What is the level of risk associated with septoplasty and what evidence exists to support its effectiveness?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about septoplasty is to manage their expectations regarding the potential outcomes of the surgery. While septoplasty is a common procedure used to correct nasal obstruction caused by a deviated septum, the current evidence does not firmly support its effectiveness. Patients should understand that while some improvement in symptoms may occur after surgery, there may not be a significant difference between septoplasty alone and septoplasty with concurrent turbinate surgery. It is important for patients to discuss their individual case with their doctor and weigh the potential risks and benefits before deciding to undergo septoplasty.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for septoplasty are those who have nasal obstruction due to a deviated nasal septum. Symptoms of a deviated septum may include difficulty breathing through the nose, nasal congestion, frequent nosebleeds, facial pain or pressure, and loud breathing or snoring during sleep. Patients may also have a crooked or asymmetrical appearance to the nose.

It is important for patients to undergo a thorough evaluation by an otolaryngologist (ENT) to determine if septoplasty is the appropriate treatment option for their specific case. In some cases, septoplasty may be recommended in combination with turbinate surgery to further improve nasal airflow and alleviate symptoms.

Timeline

Before septoplasty:

  1. Patient experiences chronic nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, and/or frequent nosebleeds due to a deviated septum.
  2. Patient may have tried other non-surgical treatments such as nasal sprays or decongestants without success.
  3. Patient consults with an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist who recommends septoplasty as a surgical solution for their nasal obstruction.

After septoplasty:

  1. Patient undergoes septoplasty surgery, which typically takes about 1-2 hours and is performed under general anesthesia.
  2. Patient may experience mild pain, swelling, and bruising in the days following surgery, which can be managed with pain medication and cold compresses.
  3. Patient may need to use nasal saline sprays and/or nasal decongestants during the recovery period to help with congestion and promote healing.
  4. Patient follows post-operative care instructions provided by their surgeon, which may include avoiding strenuous activities, not blowing their nose, and attending follow-up appointments.
  5. Over the following weeks and months, patient gradually experiences improved nasal breathing, reduced congestion, and overall better quality of life as the septum heals and nasal airflow improves.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What are the potential risks and complications associated with septoplasty?
  2. How long is the recovery period after septoplasty and what can I expect during this time?
  3. Will septoplasty completely alleviate my nasal obstruction or will additional treatments be needed?
  4. What is the success rate of septoplasty in improving nasal obstruction?
  5. Are there alternative treatments or therapies that could be considered instead of septoplasty?
  6. How experienced are you in performing septoplasty procedures?
  7. Are there any specific pre-operative or post-operative instructions I should follow to ensure the best outcome?
  8. How soon after the surgery can I expect to see improvement in my nasal symptoms?
  9. Will I need to have any follow-up appointments or additional procedures after the septoplasty?
  10. What are the long-term effects of septoplasty and how likely is it that my nasal obstruction will recur in the future?

Reference

Authors: van Egmond MMHT, Rovers MM, Tillema AHJ, van Neerbeek N. Journal: Rhinology. 2018 Sep 1;56(3):195-208. doi: 10.4193/Rhin18.016. PMID: 29656301