Basic anatomical structure of the nose; It consists of cartilage and bone framework. This structure, consisting of cartilage and bone, is divided into two by a separator called 'septum'. The septum has a partially bone and mostly cartilage structure.
Under normal conditions, the nose is divided into two equal compartments by the septum, thus allowing balanced breathing through the nostrils. However, approximately 70-80% of people have septum curvature, which is present at birth or occurs due to trauma over time. By detecting septum curvature, a diagnosis of 'septum deviation' is made in these patients. The operations performed to correct the curvatures in patients diagnosed with septum deviation are called 'septoplasty'.
What is Nasal Curvature (Deviation)?
It is popularly known as nasal bone curvature. Known deviations are situations that cause nasal functions to not be performed in a healthy manner.
A healthy nasal septum is a cartilage-bone structure that separates the nose into two separate air passages in the middle and extends from the middle of the nostrils to the nasal passages. In a healthy nose, the nostrils located in the front part widen towards the back. The air taken from this section is heated and humidified by the nasal concha and sent to the lungs. While one of the nostrils processes the inhaled air by opening and closing, the other nostril rests, thus a healthy and qualified breathing activity can be carried out. Likewise, particles over 5 microns, bacteria, germs, etc. taken through inhaled air. It is retained and filtered by the mucosal fluid in the nose. As long as these functions are performed, clean and high-quality air can be sent to the lungs regularly and healthy respiratory functions can be performed. In this regard, we can say that the health of the lower respiratory tract and the lungs largely depends on the healthy functions performed by the nose.
When deviation occurs, the cartilage-bone wall, which should be located exactly in the midline in a healthy nose, is slightly different from the midline. Ability to shift more or less to one side In fact, this curvature affects all nose functions. Deviation that may occur in the nasal entrances or nasal exits causes obstruction and prevents air passage. In patients with nasal bone curvature, since one or both sides of the nose will be blocked, breathing becomes difficult and nasal functions cannot be performed properly.
What are the Causes of Nasal Curvature?
Nasal bone curvatures, or deviations as they are also known, may be present in the nasal structure at birth or may occur later as a result of trauma. We can list the reasons for deviation as follows:
-Due to congenital anatomical features; Nasal bone curvature may occur. Congenital facial asymmetries or bone-cartilage curvatures in the nasal anatomy may cause deviation.
-Traumas; It is one of the most well-known causes of nasal bone curvature. Deviation may occur as a result of external trauma to the nose area, especially in childhood. Insignificant shifts of 1 mm, taken externally to the nose area during childhood, can progress as a result of continuing nose development in later ages and cause significant curvatures, especially during adolescence.
What are the Problems Caused by Nasal Curvature?
We can list the problems caused by septum deviation, which is present or occurs later in most people, as follows;
-Nasal bone curvature brings about the problem of nasal congestion. Congestion in the nose may cause nasal functions not to be performed properly, thus causing lower respiratory tract diseases.
-Due to the congestion in the nose, the person tries to breathe through the mouth, therefore, the lungs perform the task of conditioning the air that the nose does. . This situation may lead to excessive weight gain in later periods, leading to a predisposition to diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
-Since a healthy respiratory function cannot be achieved in nasal bone curvatures, the body cannot receive enough oxygen, and this situation It can disrupt sleep patterns and quality, leading to decreased mental and physical performance. As a result of nasal bone curvatures, the person may experience a general state of fatigue, lack of attention, tendency to fall asleep during the day, and failure in work matters.
Nasal Bone Curvature Surgery
Nasal bone curvature can be observed as a rough bone curvature in the nose area when viewed from the outside, but it can also be an invisible structure inside the nose. However, the problems mentioned above can reveal nasal bone curvature as an important problem in our lives and make deviation surgery a necessity.
Nasal bone curvature surgeries are procedures that can be performed under both general and local anesthesia.
In nasal bone curvature surgeries, the cartilage membrane is removed through an incision made in the nose area of the patient under anesthesia, and the crooked cartilage areas are removed. Meanwhile, great attention should be paid to the nasal anatomy and the protection of the cartilages that keep the nose strong.
Before nasal bone curvature surgery, the inside and outside of the nose area should be examined meticulously. If there is a curvature inside the nose, it should be determined whether these curvatures cause cosmetic deformation outside the nose. Thus, if there is a need for an aesthetic surgical operation, two operations can be performed at the same time.
Intranasal curvature often cannot be resolved by performing only intranasal deviation surgery. Likewise, during a procedure performed outside the nose, intranasal cartilage tissues may be damaged and revision nose surgeries may become necessary. In this regard, before nasal bone curvature surgeries, the inside and outside of the nose should be examined meticulously, all evaluations should be made in detail and performed successfully during the surgery.
Nasal bone curvature surgeries take an average of 1 hour. If the operation is performed together with rhinoplasty, the process may take 2-3 hours.
After nasal bone curvature surgeries, silicone plates are temporarily placed in the nose, preventing intranasal edema, accumulated blood and clots on the face. Difficulty in breathing may be experienced. In this regard, patients are recommended to consume juicy and soft foods in the first days after surgery.
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