Septoplasty

A "deviated septum" occurs when the nasal septum, the thin wall that separates the right and left side of your nasal cavities, is off center or shifted away from the midline. This is common and occurs in approximately 80% of people; however, a crooked or severely deviated septum can cause breathing difficulties.

Our doctor performs a Septoplasty for patients in our region who experience discomfort due to the symptoms of their deviated septum.

Common symptoms from a deviated septum include:

• Blockage of one or both nostrils


• Difficulty breathing through the nose


• Nasal congestion, sometimes one-sided


• Repeated sinus infections


• Frequent nosebleeds


• Headaches


• Facial pain


• Postnasal drip
  

In infants and young children symptoms may include noisy breathing during sleep. Typically, symptoms will be worse on one side, and sometimes even occur on the opposite side where the bend occurs. For some, symptoms will only appear when they have a cold.

What are the causes of a deviated septum?

A deviated septum can be a condition present at birth that developed from the birthing process or can be caused by an injury to the nose such as through sports or an accident.

What is a Septoplasty?

Our doctor performs a Septoplasty, the preferred surgical treatment, to correct your deviated septum. Our doctor will perform an exam to determine the nature and cause of your deviated septum. While you may have managed your symptoms with medications, for correction surgery is generally necessary. Your Septoplasty may be combined with sinus surgery or with nose surgery (rhinoplasty), a procedure which changes the external appearance of your nose.

A Septoplasty may be done under general or local anesthesia with sedation. After surgery patients go home within 3-4 hours. A variety of nasal dressings are applied along the septum in the nose. We may pack the nose with a special sponge-like material, gauze, or soft plastic splints. Within 2 weeks you should be fully recovered.