A deviated septum is a relatively common condition. In most people, it may not even be a noticeable problem, much of the time. But for others, it can be very bothersome.
The septum is the partition between the two nostrils. It is not perfect, in anyone, but generally divides the two nostrils relatively evenly. In many people, however, it is misshapen or “deviated.”
When a septum is deviated, it can cause stuffiness, a condition caused by the blockage of the airway due to the misplaced septum, not always because of excessive mucus. The deviated septum, in this case, is blocking one or both nostrils making it harder to breathe in and out through the nose.
On the other hand, a deviated septum can, in some cases, prevent proper drainage and airflow, leading to inflammation, which can lead to excessive mucus production as well. The septum may be deviated on the top or at the bottom of the nostrils, causing partial or complete blockage.
When surgical correction is needed, there are two options. One is a septoplasty, in which the septum is only partially removed and the rest replaced back into the center of the nostrils. The other is submucous resection or SMR.
SMR is a procedure that is a little more aggressive than the septoplasty. As the septoplasty attempts to keep the septum as intact as possible, the SMR is a more intensive surgical treatment.
In the SMR, the surgeon will peel back the lining of the nose from the septum and actually take out the bone and cartilage from the site of deviation. The lining, now empty, is put back in place, leaving that part of the septum thinner and more pliable than before.
With the SMR, the patient is placed under general anesthesia. Sometimes, a splint is placed. The nose will need to be packed for about a day, to keep the intended position as it heals. The septum should not be any further trouble after an SMR.
