What a deviated septum is
The nasal septum is the wall of cartilage and bone that divides the nose into two airways. A slightly deviated septum is very common and usually causes no problems. When the deviation is significant, whether present from birth or after a blow, it can block airflow on one or both sides.
Symptoms
- difficulty breathing through the nose, especially on one side;
- mouth breathing, particularly at night;
- snoring and unrefreshing sleep;
- repeated sinusitis or a constantly blocked nose;
- sometimes, nosebleeds.
Septoplasty or functional rhinoplasty
- Septoplasty corrects only the septum, through incisions inside the nose, without changing its outside shape.
- Functional rhinoplasty is needed when the deviation also involves the nasal pyramid (the nose is crooked on the outside too) or when the nasal valves collapse on breathing in.
- Septorhinoplasty combines functional and cosmetic correction; see the page on rhinoplasty.
Assessment
At the consultation the inside of the nose is examined, the turbinates and nasal valves are assessed and your symptoms are discussed. Sometimes an ENT consultation or a sinus CT scan is recommended, so that other causes of obstruction can be treated in the same operation.
How the operation is done
The operation is done under general anaesthesia and takes one to two hours. The deviated parts of cartilage and bone are straightened or removed while keeping the supporting structure of the nose. At the end, internal splints or packing may be placed for a few days.
Recovery
- a blocked nose in the first days, until the splints are removed;
- back to normal activity after 7–10 days;
- saline nasal rinses, as instructed;
- breathing improves gradually over a few weeks.
Risks and things to know
- nosebleeds;
- some remaining obstruction;
- rarely, septal perforation or changes to the shape of the nose.
Results vary from one patient to another.
