Cost Of Septoplasty- A deviated septum is a prevalent issue, present in about 80% of people, seen most commonly in women, but can also be present in men. It occurs when the septum partitioning the nasal cavity is not straight but slightly tilted. It can cause stuffiness and difficulty in breathing, which can be treated through a surgery called a septoplasty. A septoplasty can cost between $5,152 to $12,633. Post-operative, measures may include the placement of a nasal pack for a couple of days to prevent any subsequent bleeding which might result in minimal pain, nose block, blood-stained nasal discharge, minimal watering from the eyes, and occasional headache.
Factors contributing to the cost of the surgery
- Insurance policy
- The rates of the hospital
- The rates according to the location
- The complexity of the procedure
Current Cost Of Septoplasty
Septoplasty for a deviated septum is done after a thorough examination. Costs of correcting a deviated septum vary according to many factors. Cost aside surveys portray that a deviated septum surgery in the U.S. costs about $8,131. The cost for a septoplasty ranges from $5,152 to $12,633.
Recovery
The patient is allowed to discharge from the hospital after the removal of the nasal pack. They are instructed to avoid sleeping face-down and to not rub the nose till about 1-week post-surgery. Visits to the ENT surgeon around 2 weeks after the surgery for an endoscopic nose cleaning are necessary.
Is A Deviated Septum Painful?
Yes, they even cause decreased breathing functionality and sleep issues among many other problems, sometimes causing pain.
Causes Of A Deviated Septum
A variety of causes may lead to a deviated septum. It may be congenital, due to injury during fetal development, but most commonly, a deviated septum can develop as a result of trauma such as a fall, sports injury, or a car accident at any age. Injury of neonates during complicated childbirth is also a major cause of a deviated septum.
A deviated septum is likely to worsen with age; negatively affecting the nose, in addition to the septum and nostrils.
Signs And Symptoms Of A Deviated Septum
A deviated septum can be detected through certain signs and symptoms. Increased facial pain and a consistent nasal cycle is the hallmark of a deviated septum. This means that obstruction of the nose becomes highly irritating and persistent.
Although, septal deformities are hard to create any symptoms, which complicates the diagnosis of a deviated septum.
Can A Deviated Septum Return After Surgery?
Septoplasty has less than a 3-5% chance of recurrence without subsequent trauma to the nose when performed by experienced surgeons. Nonetheless, about 25% of patients complain of nasal congestion or obstruction even after septoplasty. Congestion may occur because of causes other than structural issues of the nose and related structures, such as severe allergies, critical inflammation caused by irritants such as smoking, vaping, fumes, or chronic sinusitis. Thus the symptoms of a deviated septum may persist or return after the surgery, but the surgery itself will not reverse.
How Much Does Deviated Septum Surgery Cost With Insurance?
Deviated septum surgery costs about $4,000 to $6,000, without insurance, if rhinoplasty is not included. The assistance of insurance may reduce the actual cost to be completely free or maximally between $500 to $2500.
Duration Of Deviated Septum Surgery
Septoplasties usually take from 30-60 minutes. It can take 90 -180 minutes if it is combined with rhinoplasty.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From Deviated Septum Surgery?
Recovery time after deviated septum surgery depends on a few factors.
- More than 80% of the patients recover fully in 2-3 weeks and can rejoin work 3-5 days after the surgery; with no external bruising or swelling due to septum repair.
- Septorhinoplasty takes 3-6 weeks to recover, but patients can rejoin work in 7-10 days from surgery; external bruising and swelling may continue up to 3 weeks.
- Numbness near the tip of the nose and mild loss of smell returns to normal within 1-2 months.
- Exercise is allowed after 7-10 days after septoplasty and after 3 weeks after septorhinoplasty.
Septoplasty is the surgical treatment for correcting the misalignment of the nasal septum, which separates the two halves of the nasal cavity. It is a daycare procedure that takes no more than an hour or so, so the patient is allowed to return home in 12-24 hours. Conclusively, it is safe to say that septoplasty costs between $5000 to $12000, without insurance and a nominal cost (or even free in some cases) of about $500 if covered by insurance. Insurance companies will readily cover the cost as it can be congestive and cause breathing problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What Are Symptoms of a Deviated Septum?
A deviated septum is usually symptomless. However, when occurring, they include:
- Difficulty in breathing through the nose as it is usually obstructed on one side.
- Stuffy nose
- Bleeding of nose
- Sleeping issues
- Persistent sinus infections
- Increased mouth-breathing during sleep in adults
- Loud breathing in children
- How Is a Deviated Septum Diagnosed?
Diagnosis requires a history of the patient’s problems and a thorough physical examination of the inside of the nose.
Diagnostic tests are:
- Nasal endoscopy
- CT scan of the nasal cavity and sinuses
- Can a deviated septum cause a runny nose?
Mostly, yes. A deviated septum results in a runny nose, combined with a postnasal drip which are both common symptoms of the condition. They also result in stuffy noses and decreased breathing functionality.
