Can nasal septum deviation be treated under general anesthesia?

Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 02, 2024
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Nasal septum deviation refers to the deviation of the cartilage and bone tissue of the nasal septum towards one or both nasal passages, causing symptoms such as nasal congestion, blood-tinged nasal discharge or nosebleeds, and headaches. After the deviation of the nasal septum, nasal congestion can cause symptoms of snoring. Surgery for nasal septum deviation or other operations can be performed under general anesthesia. The deviated nasal septum does not affect the state of anesthesia. However, due to the presence of a deviated nasal septum, oral intubation should be chosen instead of nasal intubation during general anesthesia. If nasal intubation is desired, it should be performed on the side with a wider nasal passage. Thus, attention should be paid to the choice of intubation location during surgery under general anesthesia.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Can you drink alcohol with a deviated nasal septum?

Deviated nasal septum should not be associated with excessive drinking. Deviated nasal septum occurs either from abnormal development during the embryonic stage or from later trauma to the nasal cavity or tumor compression, leading to the septum bending to one side. This condition can cause persistent nasal congestion, which progressively worsens over time. Moreover, when the deviation of the nasal septum is severe, it can lead to thinning of the nasal septum mucosa. Drinking alcohol can cause the nasal mucosa to become congested and swollen, which may lead to the rupture of local blood vessels and severe nasal bleeding. Since the blood vessels in the nasal septum are arteries, the bleeding can be substantial. Therefore, it is crucial for patients not to consume alcohol. If a patient experiences severe nasal congestion and significant nasal bleeding, they should seek medical treatment for correction of the deviated septum, which can be curative.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What medicine is good for a deviated nasal septum?

Nasal septum deviation is a relatively common ENT disorder, and typically it does not require medication for treatment. This is because the deviation of the nasal septum is primarily due to either bony or cartilaginous bends, which are difficult to effectively treat with medications. Medications cannot correct a deviated septum. If the nasal septum deviation is severe and accompanied by related clinical symptoms, surgery may be considered for correction. A common procedure is the endoscopic nasal septum deviation correction surgery, which is minimally invasive and generally has good outcomes. If the deviation is minor and does not present any clinical signs, observation may be sufficient without the need for specific treatment.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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How to treat enlarged turbinates and a deviated nasal septum?

For the condition of enlarged turbinates and a deviated nasal septum, we need to understand that these are pathological changes in the anatomical structure of the nose. In dealing with anomalies in the anatomical structure, our first step should be to perform a CT scan, then assess the extent of the enlargement of the turbinates and the deviation of the nasal septum. If the condition is severe, and there are relatively prominent symptoms such as nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and even headaches, then we should consider correcting these abnormal structures surgically, by removing these anomalies or correcting the deviated nasal septum or addressing the factors causing the turbinate hypertrophy. If there are no significant symptoms or only minor deviation or enlargement, treatment usually involves medication, primarily nasal sprays such as intranasal corticosteroids. In summary, there are mainly two treatment methods: surgical and medical treatments.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Do people with a deviated nasal septum faint?

A simple deviation of the nasal septum generally does not cause people to faint. Common clinical symptoms of a deviated nasal septum include repeated nasal congestion, runny nose, and nosebleeds. Some patients may experience headaches, dizziness, and snoring during sleep, but generally, consciousness remains clear without episodes of fainting. If fainting occurs, it is necessary to investigate other potential issues, such as fluctuations in blood pressure, low blood sugar, or problems related to blood vessels or nerves in the head. It is generally advised to first consult with a neurology department to investigate the specific causes of the fainting. If the deviation of the nasal septum is severe, considering surgery might be an option.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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Will a deviated septum get worse over time?

A deviated nasal septum generally does not worsen over time, as it is often a congenital condition. From birth, the septum develops in a skewed manner, hence the likelihood of it becoming increasingly deviated is not very high, unless significant trauma occurs during growth or later in life, which could exacerbate the deviation. In the case of normal development, the deviation does not worsen. Moreover, with the physiological development of bodily functions, the nasal septum's deviation might actually improve. However, during this period, conditions such as septal effusion and spurs could potentially lead to more severe deviations.