Is Fixing a Deviated Septum Worth It?

Tired of waking up congested? What feels like chronic congestion may actually be a deviated septum—an issue CEENTA can correct.

In This Article...

1. What is a deviated septum?
2. How can a deviated septum be fixed?
3. What happens during septoplasty?
4. Who are good candidates for septoplasty?

What is a deviated septum?

Your nasal cavity is divided into two passages by a thin wall of bone and cartilage and tissue called the nasal septum. The septum is considered deviated when it is bent to one side or the other or even bent to both sides of the nose. This can make one or both sides of the nose narrower than it should be. A deviated septum can be the result of genetics or an injury to the nose.

Common symptoms of a deviated septum may include:

• Difficulty breathing from one nostril
• Persistent nasal congestion
• Frequent nosebleeds
• Facial pain or pressure

In addition, having a deviated septum has been linked to sleeping conditions like snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

How can a deviated septum be fixed?

Your symptoms can sometimes be managed with over the counter or prescription decongestants, corticosteroid sprays, and nasal irrigation. However, the most effective method of treating your deviated septum is with septoplasty surgery.

What happens during septoplasty?

Septoplasty surgery is performed in the operating room under general anesthesia. The surgeon will make an incision inside the nose, open the septum internally, and remove the bent bone and cartilage to make the septum as straight as possible. They will also surgically shrink structures in the nose called turbinates to further facilitate better nasal breathing.

Most surgeons place silicone splints for 3–7 days to support the septum as it heals. This procedure is minimally invasive and typically takes an hour to an hour and a half.

Patients receiving septoplasty can return home after surgery with a few postop steps such as:

• Sleeping with your head elevated
• Avoiding strenuous exercise and activity for one week
• Avoiding blowing your nose
• Keeping your splints in the 3-7 days
• Taking saline spray, pain medication, and oral antibiotics prescribed by your physician

Most patients can return to work in a week or sooner depending on occupation

Who are good candidates for septoplasty?

Before deciding on surgery for a deviated septum, your physician may recommend treating your symptoms with medications and home remedies. This is especially useful for patients who only have mild deviations. However, for more significant cases or those who have not found sustained relief from their symptoms, septoplasty may be your best option.

According to Dr. Stephen Clyne, a CEENTA ENT physician from our Pineville office, “Anyone who is unhappy with their nasal breathing and is feeling stuffy all the time or frequently should see a board-certified ENT physician to determine the cause of the problem and to come up with a proper treatment plan. We can always do something to help patients breathe better.”

Ideal candidates are in good health, do not smoke, and have realistic expectations of the end results. Although septoplasty is a functional procedure to improve breathing, some patients choose to have rhinoplasty performed as well to cosmetically reshape the nose.

Septoplasty can be your solution to poor nasal breathing and congestion. CEENTA’s board-certified ENT physicians offer this quick, minimally invasive procedure that will leave you feeling refreshed and breathing better through your nose.

To find out if septoplasty is right for you, schedule with Dr. Stephen Clyne in Pineville online or myCEENTAchart.

This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your physician.