Your nasal septum is the wall between the two sides of your nose. It is similar to a wall between two rooms in that there is a hard structural part (made of cartilage and thin bone) which is covered on both sides by a wall paper like lining called the mucosa (the pink stuff you see in your nose). In some patients, the cartilage in your septum can become crooked and bend over towards one side, blocking airflow to that side of your nose—called a deviated septum. This often occurs as a result of trauma but may be congenital. Your inferior turbinates are finger-like projections of bone covered by mucosa which grow on the sides of the inside of your nose. They are designed to moisturize the air as it flows through your nose. Often these become enlarged and block airflow through your nose.
Septoplasty and Turbinoplasty is a procedure which straightens your nasal septum, and reduces the size of your inferior turbinates. The procedure can be performed under either general anesthesia or with local anesthesia and IV sedation. It will not change the outside appearance of your nose and there is no swelling or bruising. Patients are typically able to go home the same day. Following septoplasty you will have thin soft splints in your nose which can cause a sensation of nasal congestion; these will be removed in the office in 1 week. Your surgeon will provide you with a prescription for pain medication and antibiotics, and nasal saline mist can be used to prevent crusting. The operation gives very reliable results in restoring open airflow through the nose.