Octoplastion (nasal polyp removal with septoplasty) is a safe and effective method to enhance breathing and address symptoms related to nasal abnormalities. A doctor may suggest this treatment option for individuals who cannot find relief through over-the-counter allergy medication or other methods.
Surgery typically lasts about two hours, after which your physician will place cushioned packing inside your nose to cushion and protect its surfaces from injury and staining. Change this every hour or when stained.
What Is a Nasal Polyp?
Nasal polyps are painless non-cancerous growths that form on the mucosa of your nose and sinuses, usually from inflammation caused by allergy, infection or long-term irritation to your mucosa. Polyps are typically round pink in colour with moist centers resembling fluid-filled cysts; they typically form due to allergy, infection or long-term irritation to this area, leading to stuffy or runny nose, stuffiness or runniness, sneezing, nasal discharge headache or loss of sense of smell – common but rarely cancerous! They usually form where sinuses drain into your nose but can appear throughout both nose and sinuses as well. They are very commonly found among people living with chronic sinusitis as well as those who have family histories of polyps in their families – usually found where sinusitis drain into your nose.
No cause has yet been definitively established for nasal polyps, although experts speculate that inflammation may play an influential role. Over time, inflammation can cause fluid build-up between cells that make up your nasal and sinus mucous membrane, heavyening them down so they pull down, leading to nasal polyp formation. Other possible factors could include infections (bacterial or viral), allergies, sneezing or exposure to chemicals or airborne pollutants as potential triggers.
Physicians typically diagnose nasal polyps by asking about symptoms and performing an exam with a lighted instrument. Nasal endoscopy involves inserting a small, flexible tube equipped with a camera into your nostrils and sinuses in order to see more clearly where any polyps are located; medications like steroid sprays and oral steroids may help shrink them further; additionally, dupilumab may reduce inflammation caused by persistent or recurrent polyps.
How Do Nasal Polyps Cause Symptoms?
Nasal polyps form in the tissue lining the nose and sinuses. This tissue, called mucosa, normally exists as a pink, moist layer that protects and humidifies our air supply. When affected by inflammation due to allergies or infection, mucosa becomes inflamed and produces fluid which may seep out; over time this swelled mucosa develops the appearance of a fluid-filled sac which doctors refer to as a nasal polyp. These growths do not cause cancer – they simply grow slowly without producing hereditary factors; long term inflammation due to allergies or infection being the likely culprits behind their appearance.
Sometimes people with nasal polyps do not experience symptoms; for others however, their growths can cause chronic sinusitis (a condition involving inflammation of the sinuses), leading to snoring and headaches. Furthermore, polyps may block off sinuses or nasal airways making breathing difficult while leading to loss of smell or taste senses.
If you have nasal polyps, your ear, nose and throat specialist may first prescribe anti-inflammatory medicines. By breathing them through your nose or taking them orally, steroid drugs may reduce inflammation while at the same time shrink or eliminate polyps.
Your doctor may suggest surgery as a solution if medications do not seem to be working, or they become large and interfere with breathing. An endoscope, which uses a tube-like tool to enter the nose without making an external incision, is used during this procedure to remove them safely without leaving scars behind. Once all polyps are out, some may be sent to lab for testing to ensure surgery was successful and that you were free from cancerous growths after removal.
What Can I Do About Nasal Polyps?
Nasal polyps are typically diagnosed when patients present to an allergist or ear, nose and throat specialist with symptoms like nasal discharge, headaches or blocked sinuses. Diagnosis usually includes a nose exam and, sometimes, CT scanning of the sinuses and nasal passageways; treatment options depend on their size and location – medications may initially help shrink polyps and alleviate symptoms; otherwise surgical removal may be necessary.
Medications:
Small growths of nasal polyps may be treated using steroid sprays and oral medicines that decrease inflammation in the nose and sinuses, while saline rinse can keep the nose moist while also shrinking smaller polyps. Antihistamines may help alleviate allergies that contribute to nasal polyps, although they don’t directly treat their growths.
If home treatments fail to offer sufficient relief, a medical professional will likely recommend surgery as a means to remove growths. This procedure can usually be completed under local anesthesia in an office environment and afterwards you’ll probably receive a steroid nasal spray to keep polyps from coming back. Afterward, to reduce bleeding during recovery avoid smoking environments, strenuous activity or bending over in order to keep blood from pooling inside your nose.
How Does Septoplasty Work?
Septoplasty is a surgical procedure used to straighten out bone and cartilage that separates your nasal passages (septum). This may be recommended in cases of an irregularly-shaped septum which causes difficulty with breathing or increases risk for sinus infections due to poor drainage.
Procedure is generally performed in a clinic setting under either sedation or general anesthesia, depending on your preference. It typically lasts about one-and-a-half hours and may also be combined with other forms of nasal surgery such as rhinoplasty.
Septoplasty involves making an incision inside your nose to access cartilage and bone, then trimming, repositioning and sometimes even removing or adding to its structure as required. Once finished, they close any incisions made before closing them with either nasal packing or silastic splints as required.
Small amounts of blood loss after septoplasty is normal; however, excessive bleeding could indicate infection or blood loss that requires immediate medical intervention. You should avoid taking anticoagulant drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen or herbal supplements prior to your surgery as these could make it harder for the blood clot.
After septoplasty, some bloody or fluidy oozing should subside within 24 to 48 hours and pain management with over-the-counter or prescription medications should also be managed effectively. For optimal results from septoplasty surgery, avoid strenuous activities until instructed by your physician to resume them; take at least a week off from work to allow your body to rest while it heals; avoid smoking which can slow recovery; in the interim use nasal saline sprays to keep your nose moist and clean.
What Happens After Septoplasty?
Septoplasty involves recontouring of the septum by trimming, repositioning and replacing cartilage and bone through incisions inside the nose. The procedure can be conducted alone or as part of a combination surgery with rhinoplasty for aesthetic improvement; additionally, septoplasty addresses deviated septums that cause symptoms like sinus infections, nosebleeds or snoring.
Beginning your septoplasty experience begins with an interview and physical exam to ascertain if you are an ideal candidate for septoplasty. Your physician will gather details regarding your medical history and medications you are currently taking as well as take photos of both sides of your nose for use as reference during and post-surgery.
During an operation, the surgeon creates a small cut in one nostril’s skin and lifts up a flap of mucous membrane on that same side to gain access to the nasal septum. He or she then removes or relocates any cartilage/bone causing blockages as necessary or removes any nasal polyps. Finally, they fold back the mucous membrane back over to close off any opening and stitch in place to seal its position.
Your surgeon may use splints or self-dissolving sutures, depending on your unique case, to maintain the new shape of the septum for at least a week or two after septoplasty surgery. Recovery instructions provided by your doctor will include how to care for and heal from surgery as well as activities which could prolong discomfort or delay healing – it’s crucial that these guidelines are strictly adhered to for the best outcomes from septoplasty surgery – contact Southern California Sinus Institute for more details.
