I'm a 37 year old male who's deviated septum is getting worst. I'm really afraid of getting it corrected by surgery (I don't want to be put under), what other means are there to fix this problem. It's only restricting one side. I've been using Breathright strips at night and they help ALOT.. but during the day I don't want to wear them. Please let know if there is anything new in the horizon.
Thanks.
Reply: -----------------------------------
If your main concern has to do with the risks of general anesthesia, you should know that surgical correction of a deviated septum (septoplasty) is very commonly done with local anesthesia combined with varying degrees of conscious sedation thereby avoiding a general anesthetic. This is generally quite a satisfactory approach for both the patient and the surgeon. Recovery time is typically shortened allowing for earlier discharge from the hospital on the day of surgery. The most definitive treatment for fixed and chronic nasal airway obstruction caused by signficant septal deviation remains septoplasty. Breathe-Right strips and, in some cases, the regular use of topical nasal steroid sprays (Vancenase, Rhinocort, Nasacort, Flonase, etc.) can offer some improvement but require regular use.
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Steve Dankle, MD
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Milwaukee, Wis
NOTICE: OFCN is not engaged in the rendering of professional medical services. The information contained on this system or any other OFCN system should not supplant individual professional consultation. It is offered exclusively as a community education service. Advice on individual problems must be obtained directly from a professional.
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