Nasal airway surgery with Dr. Henry Sandel
Septoplasty
Septoplasty straightens the wall of cartilage and bone that divides your nasal passages. It is done to improve breathing, not to change how the nose looks.
At a glance
Surgeon
Dr. Henry Sandel
Purpose
Improve nasal breathing
Basis
Typically outpatient
Incisions
Inside the nose
External change
None on its own
Congestion
One to two weeks
Insurance
Out-of-network; may reimburse
Why septoplasty is recommended
The septum is the partition of cartilage and bone between the left and right nasal passages. Some degree of deviation is very common and most people never notice it. It matters when the deviation narrows a passage enough to obstruct airflow, and when that obstruction has not responded to medical treatment.
Chronic congestion, often worse on one side
Difficulty breathing through the nose, particularly at night
Mouth breathing or disrupted sleep
Recurrent sinus pressure or infections
Nosebleeds from a dry, exposed septum
Obstruction that began after a broken nose
Septoplasty is internal work. The incisions are inside the nose and the external shape is left alone. When the appearance of the nose is also a concern, the two can be performed together as a septorhinoplasty.
Who is a good candidate?
You may be a candidate if nasal obstruction is affecting your breathing or sleep and medical treatment has not been enough.
Symptoms not relieved by sprays, antihistamines, or allergy treatment
In good overall health
A non-smoker, or willing to stop nicotine use as directed
Clear that the goal is breathing rather than appearance
Interested in addressing shape at the same time, if that also applies
Dr. Sandel’s approach
A septoplasty that improves breathing but weakens the nose is not a good outcome. Enough cartilage and bone has to stay behind to hold the shape of the nose over the long term.
Insurance
Insurance does not cover surgery to change the appearance of the nose, but typically does cover treatment that is medically necessary. Dr. Sandel is an out-of-network provider, so where your plan offers out-of-network benefits, you would be reimbursed by your insurer directly. We provide the medical notes, procedure codes, and diagnostic codes to support that claim.
What the surgery may involve
Depending on the anatomy, septoplasty may involve:
Incisions placed inside the nose, leaving no external scars
Lifting the lining away from the deviated cartilage and bone
Straightening, trimming, or repositioning the deviated portion
Preserving enough cartilage and bone to keep the nose supported
Reducing enlarged turbinates when they also contribute
Repairing nasal valve collapse when it is present as well
Recovery
Septoplasty is typically performed as an outpatient procedure. Expect congestion before you expect improvement — the passages swell before they settle.
Congestion and stuffiness through roughly the first one to two weeks
No nose blowing for the period you are given
Saline rinses to keep the passages clear
Desk-based work usually resumes within about a week
Strenuous activity held for roughly two weeks
Breathing continuing to improve as internal swelling resolves
The early congestion is swelling, not a sign that the surgery did not work. Most patients judge the result some weeks out, once the lining has settled.
Septoplasty FAQs.
No. The work is internal and the incisions are inside the nose. If you also want to change the external shape, that is rhinoplasty, and the two can be done together as a septorhinoplasty.
Your policy may pay for medically necessary parts of the procedure. Insurance does not cover surgery to change the cosmetic appearance of the nose. Dr. Sandel is an out-of-network provider. If your insurance company offers you out-of-network benefits, and you have a deviated septum, nasal valve collapse, or a broken nose — any of which with breathing issues not improved by medical treatments — then you could be reimbursed for that portion of the procedure. We will give you the medical notes, procedure codes, and diagnostic codes to help with this process.
Most patients describe pressure and congestion rather than sharp pain. Discomfort is generally manageable and improves over the first several days.
Packing is used far less than it once was. Soft internal splints are sometimes placed to support the septum and are removed at a follow-up visit.
Many patients notice a difference once the initial swelling settles, generally across the first few weeks, with further improvement after that.
The corrected portion generally stays corrected. A new injury to the nose can cause new deviation.
Yes. It is commonly combined with turbinate reduction, nasal valve repair, or rhinoplasty.
Have your breathing evaluated.
A consultation includes an examination of the inside of the nose, a review of what you have already tried, and a discussion of whether the obstruction is coming from the septum, the turbinates, the nasal valve, or a combination of them.