Deviated Septum
A deviated septum can make breathing difficult and contribute to chronic sinus infections or sleep apnea. Septoplasty straightens and repositions the septum so you can breathe more easily.
Correcting a Deviated Septum
Septoplasty is a surgical procedure that corrects a deviated septum, a condition in which the septum shifts toward one side of the nasal cavity. During septoplasty, the septum is straightened and repositioned to the middle of the nose, which may involve cutting and removing parts of it before reinserting them in the correct position.
Left untreated, a deviated septum can cause difficulty breathing and chronic sinus infections. It can also cause sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing is briefly and repeatedly interrupted during sleep.
Easier Breathing
Straightening the septum is designed to help you breathe more freely through your nose.
Outpatient Surgery
Septoplasty usually takes about one to two hours, with no overnight hospital stay.
Short Recovery
Most people feel well enough to return to work or school within a few days.
Are You a Candidate for Septoplasty?
Septoplasty is intended for patients whose septum interferes with everyday breathing and rest.
- Your deviated septum prevents you from breathing properly
- You have sleep apnea
- You have chronic sinus infections that haven't improved with medication
- You are in your teens or older, as septoplasty isn't usually performed on younger children
The Septoplasty Procedure
Your surgeon makes an incision in the tissue between your nostrils, then corrects the deviated septum by trimming it and moving it into the correct position. In some cases, cartilage is removed. The incisions are then closed.
Septoplasty is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, so you won’t need to stay in the hospital overnight. The surgery usually takes about one to two hours.
Realistic Expectations
Most people feel much better after septoplasty and can breathe more easily through the nose. The surgery doesn’t guarantee you’ll never have sinus infections or other problems, and in some cases a second surgery may be needed to achieve the desired results.
What Recovery Looks Like
Most people feel well enough to return to work or school within a few days.
Expect some congestion and a bloody nose for a week or so after surgery.
Some bruising around the eyes is normal and should fade within two weeks.
Don’t blow your nose for at least a week after surgery.
Avoid strenuous activity, such as running, for at least two weeks.
Hold off on contact sports for four to six weeks. Your surgeon will confirm when it’s safe to resume normal activities.