Septosurgery: Endoscopic Nasal Septum Straightening

Free nasal breathing is the foundation of our health, good sleep, and high performance. Statistically, over 80% of people have a deviated nasal septum (congenital or post-traumatic). If this deviation blocks the nasal passages, a person becomes a hostage to vasoconstrictor drops, snoring, and constant headaches.

At St. Luke’s Clinic, we offer an effective solution — septosurgery (septoplasty). This is a modern endoscopic operation to restore the correct anatomy of the nasal septum, which restores the ability to breathe deeply without external incisions or scars on the face.

When is surgery necessary? (Indications for septosurgery)

Our ENT surgeons recommend septum straightening in cases where the deviation significantly impairs the quality of life. The main symptoms to pay attention to are:

• Chronic nasal congestion: you cannot breathe normally through one or both nostrils.
• “Naphthyzin dependence”: you do not leave home without vasoconstrictor drops or sprays and use them for months or years.
• Loud snoring and apnea: breathing pauses during sleep, leading to chronic fatigue and heart problems.
• Frequent ENT diseases: recurrent sinusitis, otitis, or chronic rhinitis (due to impaired sinus ventilation).
• Nosebleeds: occur due to drying of the mucous membrane in the deviated area of the septum.
• Headaches: caused by lack of oxygen (hypoxia) and constant pressure of the deviated cartilage on nerve endings in the nose.

How is the operation performed at St. Luke’s Clinic?

Forget the scary stories about “breaking the nose” and miles of gauze bandages! Modern septosurgery in our clinic is a high-tech and minimally invasive process.

1. Absolutely painless: The operation is performed under modern general anesthesia (medication-induced sleep). You will fall asleep, feel no pain or discomfort, and wake up when everything is already done.
2. Endoscopic control: We do not make external incisions. The surgeon works exclusively inside the nasal cavity using a miniature video camera (endoscope). This allows for precise detachment of the mucous membrane, removal of the deviated part of the cartilage or bone, straightening it, and placing it back. The shape of your nose will not change externally.
3. Modern splints instead of bandages: Previously, after surgery, patients had meters of gauze tampons placed in their nose, which were very painful to remove. We use modern silicone splints (inserts) or special hemostatic sponges that reliably fix the septum. Some splints have tubes inside, allowing the patient to partially breathe through the nose immediately after surgery.

Recovery and rehabilitation (what to expect after surgery?)

Septosurgery requires a short stay in the hospital. At St. Luke’s Clinic, you will spend 1-2 days in a comfortable ward under round-the-clock supervision of doctors and caring nurses.

• First days: Nasal breathing will be absent due to swelling and the presence of fixators (splints) in the nose. Slight fever and headache are possible, which are easily relieved with medication.
• Splint removal: Occurs on days 2-4. The procedure is very quick and painless (thanks to slippery silicone).
• Return of breathing: Full, free nasal breathing gradually recovers as the swelling subsides (usually within 2-3 weeks).

For successful healing, the following are strictly prohibited for one month:

• Intense physical activity, lifting weights, bending the head down.
• Visiting saunas, baths, hot tubs, and hot food/drinks (risk of bleeding).
• Blowing your nose hard (the nose should only be gently rinsed with saline solutions as prescribed by the doctor).

Give up drops and start breathing freely! Schedule a consultation with an ENT surgeon at St. Luke’s Clinic for a detailed examination and surgery planning.