Imagine Living Your Whole Life Struggling to Breathe. Childhood — stuffy kindergartens. School — stale classroom air. University — suffocating lecture halls. Office — crowded rooms, headaches, constant fatigue.

You think the problem is stress, climate, or pollution. But in reality, the culprit is often a deviated nasal septum — the thin wall that separates your nasal passages. When it is bent or crooked, one nostril barely works, and airflow becomes blocked. No amount of willpower, sprays, or pills can solve this. The answer is surgical — septoplasty.

How a Crooked Septum Can Ruin Your Life

The nasal septum divides the nose into two halves. Ideally, it should be straight. But in most people, the septum is deviated to some degree. Sometimes this doesn’t cause problems. But in many, it leads to:

• Persistent nasal congestion
• Poor sleep and snoring
• Recurrent sinus infections and headaches
• Ear infections and hearing issues
• Sleep apnea and chronic fatigue

When conservative treatment (sprays, tablets, decongestants) fails, ENT doctors often recommend septoplasty.

Septoplasty vs. Rhinoplasty: What’s the Difference?

• Septoplasty – a functional operation that corrects the septum to restore breathing. The external appearance of the nose does not change.
• Rhinoplasty – an aesthetic procedure to reshape the nose (bridge, tip, nostrils).
• Septorhinoplasty – combines both, improving breathing and cosmetic appearance.

Why Do Some People with a Deviated Septum Breathe Fine While Others Struggle?

A deviated septum can manifest in two ways:

• Without functional impairment – the septum is anatomically bent, but airflow remains adequate thanks to compensatory mechanisms. The patient has no major complaints.
• With functional impairment – the deviation triggers secondary changes:
  • Mucosal hypertrophy of the inferior turbinates
  • Impaired ciliary function
  • Poor drainage and swelling
  • Chronic obstruction

Thus, the pathology is not just a structural problem but a cascade of functional disorders that reinforce the blockage.

When Is Septoplasty Needed?

Not every deviation requires surgery. But if medications fail and symptoms persist, septoplasty is indicated.

Main indications:

• Severe, persistent nasal obstruction resistant to sprays and tablets
• Recurrent or chronic sinusitis (sinus infections)
• Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea
• Frequent nosebleeds
• Post-traumatic nasal deformity
• Chronic ear infections due to poor Eustachian tube ventilation

How the Surgery Is Performed (Step by Step)

• Preparation (5–10 min) – Patient monitoring, sedation, antiseptic cleaning.
• Anesthesia (general anesthesia) – The patient is asleep, and breathing is controlled by the anesthesiologist.
• Internal access (no external scars) – A small incision is made inside the nasal lining (usually Killian’s incision).
• Correction of the septum – Deviated cartilage and bone spurs are partially removed, repositioned, or reshaped. Sometimes fragments are reimplanted for support. Internal absorbable sutures are placed.
• Turbinate correction (if needed) – Inferior turbinate reduction (radiofrequency, laser, shaver) improves airflow while preserving mucosal function.
• Hemostasis and stabilization – Bleeding is controlled, mucosa repositioned. Silicone splints or soft tampons are inserted for 1–5 days.
• Recovery room observation (1–3 hrs) – Patients are monitored and typically discharged the same or next day.

Surgery time: ~90–180 minutes (depending on complexity).

Preoperative Preparation

• ENT consultation, nasal endoscopy, and sometimes sinus CT
• Bloodwork, ECG, physician and anesthesiologist clearance
• Stop blood-thinning medications (5–7 days in advance)

Recovery Timeline

• Days 1–3 – congestion, swelling, mild pain
• Days 2–5 – removal of splints/tampons, breathing improves
• Weeks 3–4 – normal nasal breathing restored
• Months 2–3 – final functional result

Restrictions:

• No nose-blowing for 2 weeks
• No heavy exercise or sauna for 1 month
• Sleep with head elevated for 3–5 days

Possible Risks and Complications

Septoplasty is among the most common surgeries worldwide. Millions undergo it safely every year. Still, risks exist:

• Serious but rare: “Empty nose syndrome,” septal perforation
• Milder: adhesions (synechiae), dryness, crusting

Modern techniques (radiofrequency, endoscopic tools) allow safe correction of such complications.

Case Studies

• 28-year-old patient – chronic right-sided blockage and headaches. After septoplasty, breathing normalized, headaches resolved.
• 14-year-old adolescent – recurrent sinusitis, snoring. Post-op: improved breathing, restful sleep.
• 45-year-old patient – sleep apnea and loud snoring. After surgery: quiet, deep sleep returned.

Life After Septoplasty

Most patients report:

• Free nasal breathing
• Disappearance of snoring
• Fewer colds and sinus infections
• Better sleep and energy

Septoplasty at KindCare Medical Center

At KindCare Medical Center (Dubai), septoplasty is performed using modern endoscopic techniques for precision and safety.

We provide:

• Accurate diagnostics (endoscopy, CT, lab tests)
• Personalized surgical planning (including laser or radiofrequency methods)
• Safe anesthesia
• Fast recovery with minimal discomfort

Dr. Maryna Kryshtopava — ENT specialist (PhD, Associate Professor, 23+ years of experience), expert in nasal and sinus surgery.

With KindCare, septoplasty is truly “all-inclusive”: from diagnosis to full recovery.