Septoplasty and turbinate reduction are surgical procedures used to treat sleep apnea or improve tolerance of CPAP. Septoplasty is a procedure to correct deviated nasal septum, which is the partition between the two nasal passages. When the septum is bent or deviated, it can narrow the airway and contribute to sleep apnea. During septoplasty, the deviated septum is surgically corrected to improve the alignment of the nasal passages and increase air flow.
Turbinate reduction is a procedure to reduce the size of the turbinates, which are bony structures in the nasal passages that can become enlarged and obstruct air flow. Turbinate reduction can be performed by removing or reducing the size of the turbinates or by cauterizing the turbinate tissue to shrink it.
Together, septoplasty and turbinate reduction are used to improve the overall function of the nasal passages and reduce sleep apnea symptoms by increasing air flow and reducing nasal obstruction. The procedures are typically performed under general anesthesia and require a few days of recovery time. The goal of the procedure is to reduce the frequency and severity of sleep apnea episodes, leading to improved sleep quality and overall well-being.
