SEPTOPLASTY
At The Breathe Institute, Dr. Soroush Zaghi offers a comprehensive, airway-focused approach to improving nasal breathing for patients undergoing septoplasty, turbinate reduction, or nasal valve repair. These procedures address structural issues that can impair airflow, disrupt sleep, and impact overall health.
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Septoplasty corrects a deviated nasal septum—the central cartilage and bone dividing the nasal passages—which, when significantly misaligned, can contribute to obstruction, snoring, and sleep apnea.
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Turbinate reduction gently shrinks swollen nasal tissues, often inflamed by allergies or irritation.
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Nasal valve surgery reinforces the narrowest part of the nasal airway to prevent collapse during inhalation.
While conventional nasal procedures focus solely on structure, Dr. Zaghi’s approach integrates airway optimization, breathing dynamics, and sleep health, ensuring meaningful, lasting improvements in airflow and quality of life. As a global leader in ENT and sleep surgery, he provides carefully tailored treatment plans—not one-size-fits-all solutions—designed to restore optimal breathing and support long-term health outcomes.
This personalized care extends across age groups. For children with significant nasal obstruction, Dr. Zaghi performs specialized pediatric septoplasty when clinically appropriate. This advanced approach includes correcting septal deviation, reducing turbinate size, and stabilizing the nasal valve to support healthy breathing, growth, and sleep. While few ENT surgeons perform septoplasty, and other nasal procedures in pediatric patients, Dr. Zaghi is among the select group with the training and experience to do so safely and effectively.
With this patient-centered approach, it’s important to understand what to expect during recovery. Whether you are undergoing septoplasty, turbinate reduction, or nasal valve surgery, following the specific postoperative instructions will help ensure optimal healing, minimize discomfort, and support the best possible outcomes.
What to Expect:
☐ Bleeding: Mild to moderate bleeding is expected for the first 24–48 hours and should gradually subside. Light bleeding may continue into the first or second week, especially after rinsing. Contact us if bleeding becomes profuse or uncontrollable.
☐ Congestion & Swelling: Nasal congestion due to internal swelling, splints, and healing is normal. This typically improves over 1–2 weeks.
☐ Pain: Discomfort is usually mild to moderate and can be managed with over-the-counter or prescribed medications.
Nasal Care:
☐ Saline Rinses: Begin rinsing with a saline solution (e.g., NeilMed) the day after surgery unless directed otherwise. Rinse 2–3 times daily for 2–3 weeks. You may optionally add a drop of baby shampoo to help break down mucus and crusting.
☐ Nose Blowing: Gentle nose blowing is allowed starting the day after surgery. Avoid forceful blowing to protect healing tissue.
☐ Decongestants: For significant swelling or congestion, you may use a topical decongestant (e.g., Afrin, Zicam) for no more than 2–3 days. Overuse can lead to rebound congestion.
☐ Cold Compresses: Apply ice packs to cheeks and sides of the nose for 10–20 minutes every 2 hours while awake to reduce swelling.
☐ Splint-Related Congestion: Persistent pressure or blockage may be related to nasal splints. Contact our office — early removal may be considered.
Physical Activity:
Movement is encouraged; take daily walks and avoid prolonged bed rest.
☐ Week 1: Limit activity to 30% of your usual level.
☐ Week 2: Increase activity to 50% of normal.
☐ After 2 weeks: Most patients can resume normal activity as tolerated.
☐ Avoid heavy lifting, straining, or vigorous exercise until fully cleared.
Medications:
☐ Pain Control: Alternate or combine acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for effective pain relief.
☐ Stronger Pain Medication: If prescribed, take Percocet (acetaminophen + oxycodone) only as needed for breakthrough pain. Do not drive or operate machinery while using narcotics.
☐ Antibiotics: Antibiotics are not commonly prescribed after this procedure. However, if they are deemed necessary, take all prescribed antibiotics exactly as directed to help prevent infection.
☐ Steroid Nasal Sprays: Do not use sprays like Flonase or Nasonex for at least one month post-op, unless cleared by your surgeon.
☐ Oral Steroids: In some cases, a short course of oral steroids (e.g., Medrol Dose Pack) may be prescribed to address swelling or pressure.
Fever Levels & What to Do:
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Below 100.4°F (38°C): No medication needed—just rest and fluids; monitor for changes.
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100.4°F – 102°F (38–38.9°C): Give Tylenol or ibuprofen and encourage fluids and light clothing.
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102°F – 103.9°F (38.9–39.9°C): Alternate Tylenol and ibuprofen every 3 hours, use cool compresses, and keep hydrated.
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104°F (40°C) or higher: Give medication immediately, use cooling measures, and call your doctor or go to urgent care.
If fever develops from inactivity:
☐ Stretch and move the neck and shoulders
☐ Take deep breaths
☐ Walk to expand the lungs
☐ Late-Onset Fever or Sinus Pressure: If you develop new fever, sinus pressure, or facial pain several days after surgery, contact our office — this could indicate a sinus infection requiring antibiotics.
Follow-Up Schedule:
☐ Initial Visit: Scheduled 2–3 days or 5–7 days post-op, depending on splint placement and healing needs.
☐ Routine Follow-Up:
☐ At 1–2 months to assess healing and long-term function
☐ At 6–9 months if symptoms persist or additional evaluation is needed
When to Call Our Office:
☐ Profuse or persistent nosebleeds
☐ Fever over 101.5°F after the first 48 hours
☐ Sudden increase in pain, swelling, or sinus pressure
☐ Foul-smelling nasal discharge
☐ Vision changes or severe headache
☐ Prevent dehydration, which increases complication risk.
If you have any concerns, please contact our office, or reach out to Dr. Zaghi using the information provided below.
For emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
Septoplasty, is a corrective surgical procedure done to straighten a deviated nasal septum – the nasal septum being the partition between the two nasal cavities. Ideally, the septum should run down the center of the nose
Normal Septum VS Deviated Septum
A deviated septum is a condition in which the nasal septum, the bone and cartilage that divide the nasal cavity of the nose in half is significantly off center, or crooked, making breathing difficult. Most people have some sort of imbalance in the size of their breathing passages. In fact, estimates indicate that 80% of people, most unknowingly, have some sort of misalignment to their nasal septum.
Types of septal deviation
Improved breathing – overall breathing function is greatly improved since the nasal passages are opened up.
Septoplasty benefits
Better sleep quality – reshaping a crooked septum not only improves airflow while you're awake, but also reduces or eliminates snoring and/or sleep apnea and improves the overall quality of your sleep
Surgical Video-Open Septoplasty+Rhinoplasty Correcting severely deviated septum
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Septoplasty
Patient Pre/Post Procedure Photos
Pre-Procedure
Post-Procedure
