What is Deviated Septum Surgery?

If you have difficulty breathing through your nose, you may have a deviated septum. The nasal septum is the midline portion of the nose that separates the right and left air passages of the nose. The septum is a thin wall of bone and cartilage that may be displaced to one side making that nasal passage smaller. Septal deviations are easily diagnosed by an otolaryngologist and can be seen on CT scan.

What are symptoms of a deviated septum?

Patients with a deviated septum will typically notice nasal congestion, postnasal drip, nasal obstruction, "allergies", mouth breathing, dry mouth upon awakening, and snoring. These patients are also at increased risk for sleep apnea and sinusitis.

How do you get a deviated septum?

Children can have a deviated septum, but septoplasty is usually deferred until the nose has finished growing. Most adults have some degree of septal deviation; the condition is only significant if it causes nasal congestion or nasal obstruction. Most deviations develop as the nose grows during adolescence. A small percentage of people have a septal deviation due to nasal trauma, often associated with a broken nose.

Can a deviated septum be corrected without surgery?

Although some forms of nasal congestion can be improved non-surgically, a symptomatic septal deviation can only be corrected with a minor surgical procedure (see the AAO-HNS consensus statement on nasal obstruction).

What other procedures might be performed with a septoplasty?

Many patients that undergo deviated septum surgery will also have a turbinate reduction. Turbinates are the tissues in the nose that respond to allergies. These tissues can swell and contribute to nasal obstruction. Some patients will have minimal sinus surgery, or balloon sinuplasty performed during their procedure to resolve sinus pressure and sinus infections. Finally, a nose job, or rhinoplasty could be performed at the same time to change the cosmetic appearance of the nose; see the AAO-HNS rhinoplasty guideline.

How is deviated septum surgery performed?

Surgery to correct a deviated septum, or septoplasty, is performed by an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist. The surgical procedure is often performed in the operating room under sedation or general anesthesia. Highly experienced nasal surgeons will perform septoplasty in the clinic procedure room. After a gentle sedation, numbing medication is injected into the septum. The deviated bone and cartilage are adjusted to straighten the septum which opens the nasal passages. The surgical site is closed with 2 small sutures. The procedure typically takes 30 to 45 minutes.

What is the recovery like from a septoplasty?

Recovery from a septoplasty is usually straightforward. There are no external incisions, external swelling, or external bruising. Everything is performed on the inside of the nose. Since nasal packing is no longer routinely used, many patients have only mild pain or discomfort and take acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Narcotics are not typically needed. A small amount of nasal congestion and nasal discharge should be expected for the first 48 hours. Many patients are back to normal activities within 72 hours.

What are the risks of deviated septum surgery?

Septoplasty is a very common and very safe procedure. There is a small risk of bleeding which is easily resolved with minor intervention. Other complications such as infection, scarring, or a small hole in the septum (septal perforation) are uncommon.

What are the success rates of septoplasty?

Septoplasty is a common procedure with high success rates and low complication rates for appropriately selected patients, as shown in a randomized trial in The Lancet. Many patients experience meaningful improvement in nasal obstruction and congestion after the septum is straightened. Revision surgery is uncommon.

How much does deviated septum surgery cost?

Septoplasty is covered by Medicare and most commercial plans when it is medically necessary. If you do not have insurance, the surgeon's fee for an eligible in-clinic procedure is about $1,500. Your total self-pay cost also includes anesthesia and varies by setting, including whether IV sedation or a surgery-center setting is needed. See the full septoplasty cost and insurance breakdown →

Should I undergo a septoplasty?

If you have a long history of nasal congestion, nasal obstruction, mouth breathing at night, and a diagnosis of septal deviation, you should seriously consider septoplasty. Medications cannot straighten the septum, although they may ease some of the congestion. In experienced hands, the procedure is simple and effective. Most patients note that the septoplasty was easier than expected and more beneficial than anticipated.