Introduction
Nasal surgery is performed for cosmetic reasons and functional issues like difficulty breathing. Various anatomical problems can result in difficulty in breathing, like deviation of the nasal septum, collapsed nasal valves, enlarged turbinates, or a combination of these problems can block the airflow to the nose and can affect breathing. Different nasal surgeries are available to correct these problems, like turbinate reduction surgery, functional rhinoplasty, nasal valve surgery, etc. These surgeries can help in improving breathing.
Which Are the Different Types of Nasal Obstruction?
Any anatomical abnormalities or conditions can sometimes affect the normal airflow through the nose, which leads to difficulty in breathing and causes nasal obstruction. The different types of nasal obstruction commonly seen include the following:
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Deviated Nasal Septum - A wall of cartilage and bone present between two nostrils is called the nasal septum. Sometimes the nasal septum will be displaced to one side or deviated and can obstruct the airflow to the nose, which will cause congestion to the nose and breathing difficulty.
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Nasal Valve Collapse - The narrow part of the national passage is called the nasal valve, and it is responsible for the regulation of airflow. Collapsed or weekend nasal valve cartilage will decrease the airflow through the nasal cavity and lead to nose congestion.
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Turbinate Hypertrophy - The structure inside the nasal cavity that helps filter and humidify the air is called turbinate. During inflammation, sometimes these turbinates become swollen or enlarged, which will obstruct the airflow through the nose and result in congestion of the nasal cavity.
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Nasal Polyps - Soft and non-cancerous growth that are present in the lining of the nasal cavity are called nasal polyps. The development of nasal polyps can obstruct the airflow to the nose, leading to nasal cavity congestion. The development of nasal polyps is often associated with inflammatory conditions or chronic sinusitis.
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Adenoid Hypertrophy - Adenoids are present at the back of the nasal passage, and they can sometimes become hypertrophied or enlarged, especially in children leading to obstruction of the airflow to the nose and congestion of the nasal cavity.
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Nasal Tumors - Tumors in the nose can physically block the airflow to the nose and lead to obstruction. The nasal tumors can include benign or malignant growth.
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Nasal Trauma or Fractures - Nasal trauma or injury like nasal fractures can sometimes result in the displacement of the nasal bone or cartilage or some other deformities which lead to the obstruction of the airflow to the nose and cause breathing difficulty.
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Congenital Abnormalities - Anatomical deformities like the closure of the back of the nasal cavity, narrow nasal passage, or other congenital issues can result in the obstruction of the nose.
Which Are the Different Types of Nose Surgery to Breath Better?
Different surgical procedures help in correcting nasal obstruction to improve breathing. Some commonly used nasal surgery to breathe better include the following:
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Septoplasty - A surgical procedure that helps to correct the deviated septum is called septoplasty. There will be difficulty breathing due to the blockage of the nose by the deviated septum, which is caused by the misalignment of the nasal septum. During this procedure, an incision is made inside the nose, the mucus membrane is lifted, and the septum is assessed. The deviated septum is removed and repositioned to the correct place, which will help improve the alignment. In rare cases, an additional cartilage graft may be required to support the nasal septum. After the corrections and alignment of the septum, there will be a repositioning of the mucus membrane and closure of the incisions.
Septoplasty can be done under general or local anesthesia under sedation. The patient can go home on the same day after the surgical procedure. It includes minimal downtime for recovery. Sometimes bruising, swelling, or congestion can be expected during the initial few days after the surgical procedure. People can return to normal activity after a few days or weeks. To get a full recovery, it may take up to a month. Septoplasty is considered an effective solution to improve breathing in case of a deviated septum. Like most surgical procedures, it is also associated with potential risks and complications like infection, bleeding, scarring, changes in the shape of the nose, etc.
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Turbinate Reduction - Structures that help filter and humidify the air during breathing are called turbinates. Surgical procedures that help reduce these structures' size are called turbinate reduction. Sometimes these turbinates become enlarged or become swollen due to infection, allergy, or some other factors which will obstruct the airflow to the nasal cavity and cause congestion of the nose resulting in difficulty in breathing. Reducing the size of turbinates will help in improving breathing. There are different techniques available for reducing turbinates. It depends on the condition and needs of the patient.
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Nasal Valve Surgery - A type of surgical procedure that helps correct problems with the nasal valve is called nasal valve surgery. The nasal valve is the narrowest part seen in the nasal cavity, which helps in regulating the flow of air. The nasal valve has an important role during the breathing process. It can result in congestion, obstruction, and difficulty in breathing. Different surgical methods can be used to correct the nasal valve. These include spreader grafts, butterfly grafts, and suspension sutures.
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Revision Rhinoplasty - This procedure is also called secondary rhinoplasty, which is done to correct the result of previously done rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty is a type of cosmetic procedure that helps in reshaping and improving the appearance of the nose. It can also help correct functional issues like difficulty in breathing. Sometimes the primary rhinoplasty surgery does not meet the patient's expectations and can result in functional or aesthetic problems that require additional corrections. During such cases, revision rhinoplasty is performed.
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Functional Rhinoplasty - A type of rhinoplasty that focuses on enhancing the functional problems of the nose, including breathing difficulties. Cosmetic rhinoplasty is done for aesthetic concerns, but functional rhinoplasty is used to correct structural abnormalities that cause difficulty in breathing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, nasal surgery can treat breathing issues related to nasal problems like enlarged turbinates, deviated septum, collapsed valves, or a combination of these issues. Nasal surgery can help improve the airflow to the nose, which helps in improving breathing. Always consult a qualified health professional to evaluate the concerns and to select the most appropriate surgical method. Suppose the breathing difficulty is due to any structural abnormalities of the nose. In that case, these surgical options can help in giving better function and also help in improving the overall quality of life.
