Septoplasty Splints Uses:
Nasal septum refers to the piece of bone and cartilage that provides shape and support to the nose. When it is irregular, bent or deviated there is a big possibility that the individual has difficulty breathing. When this is the case, a person will need septoplasty.
Septoplasty is a corrective surgery that aims to straighten the nasal partition between the two nasal cavities. What is being corrected here is the nasal septum because ideally it should run down the center of the nose. When it is deviated into one of the nasal cavities or when it is crooked, it tends to narrow down that cavity and blocks the airflow. The help of a surgery and septoplasty splints should be done to correct this problem.
Septoplasty Surgery:
Nasal septum deviation is a result of having a cartilage or a bone surplus on either side of the nasal cavity. With the help of a septoplasty surgery, a portion of the tissues will have to be excised on the nostrils making an incision in the lining of the nasal septum to be able to reach the targeted cartilage. Usually, an “L†strut of cartilage in the caudal and dorsal areas would have to be preserved so that the nose will not be left without a structural support. The surgeon would typically leave 1-centimeter width of the cartilage or even more. After the excess bone or cartilage has been removed, the nasal septum will be stabilized using typical flexible septoplasty splints. This will hold the nose in place while a stitch is made through the hole of the nose.
Need of Splints:
Nasal packing with septoplasty splints that provide support after a septoplasty surgery, also serve the purpose of stopping bleeding. These intranasal septoplasty splints will add pressure onto the nose to avoid hemorrhagic flow. These splints which are made up of soft silicone have a breathing channel. One septoplasty splint is used on each side during the time of the surgery and until the end of the procedure.
Another Remedy:
Recent studies though have not been very favourable with the use of septoplasty splints. There are septal perforation problems and inflammation that have been associated with its use. Because of this, other remedies have been resorted. Aside from septoplasty surgery and septoplasty splints, the condition nasal deviated septum can also be helped through turbinate reduction. This method is advised to enlarge the nasal cavities. When this is the method preferred, special measures are taken to avoid leading to “empty nose syndrome,†which is caused by over-resectioning of the nose.