Submucosal resection (SMR) of the nose is a surgical procedure used to treat adeviated septum.
This procedure is also called a septoplasty.
Most ENT surgeons use these 2 names interchangeably.
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however, as the surgery is used to correct a deviated septum.
Issues Associated With a Deviated Septum
The septum is the wall that divides the nose in half.
It is composed primarily of cartilage and some bone.
Symptoms may get worse if you have a cold.
Many individuals are born with a deviated septum, but this condition can also be due to facial trauma.
Septal deviation actually may start out mild and can progress with time.
Indications for Submucosal Resection
SMR is not always necessary for treating a deviated septum.
Sometimes SMR is done as part of acleft palaterepair.
The Procedure
SMR of the nose is usually performed as same-day surgery.
It can be done using a local or general anesthetic.
The procedure lasts for an average of an hour to an hour and a half.
During the surgery, some portions of the septum may be either entirely removed or readjusted.
This procedure is not usually performed on individuals under the age of 18 since the septum is still growing.
You may have some bleeding from the nose for about 24 hours after surgery.
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