Can Rhinoplasty Fix a Deviated Septum?

A deviated septum is a medical issue that can severely affect your breathing, appearance, and overall health. It is a problem that should be corrected as soon as possible. The highly trained and experienced rhinoplasty surgeons of Somenak + Pittman MD will provide you with safe and effective care.

Before scheduling your procedure, here is the information you should know.

What is a Deviated Septum?

Your nose is cartilage and bone. A healthy nose is separated straight down the middle by a structure called the nasal septum, which creates the nostrils. A deviated septum is a condition in which the septum is off-center or leaning to one side, making one nasal passage larger than the other. 

Often it is not something you can see from the outside, but, in some patients, it can cause a noticeably crooked nose or a dorsal hump.

Minor deviations cause no issues, but severe deviations can block off one nasal passage, causing several health problems such as:

• Difficulty breathing
• Sleep apnea
• Nosebleeds
• Dry mouth
• Nasal congestion and swelling
• Facial pain and headaches
• Sinus infections

If your deviated septum is affecting your quality of life, it is highly recommended that you have it corrected surgically.

What Can Rhinoplasty Do for Deviated Septums?

The surgical procedure performed to straighten a deviated septum is called a septoplasty. It is otherwise known as functional rhinoplasty. A septoplasty is performed by making incisions inside the nose to trim and reposition the deviated cartilage and bone. 

If you are uncomfortable with the crookedness of your nose or any other aspect of its appearance, you can have rhinoplasty performed at the same time as your septoplasty. This combination surgery is called a septorhinoplasty. 

A septorhinoplasty is performed under general anesthesia and takes one to two hours. Your surgeon may need to replace the removed cartilage and bone with grafts.

You should be able to go home the same day as your surgery. Any packing put on the inside of your nose to prevent bleeding should be able to be removed the following day. Your surgeon will place a splint and strapping on your nose to hold the new structure in place, and these can be removed after a week. Expect to have some swelling in your nose during your two weeks total of recovery.

Conclusion

A rhinoplasty can help with a deviated septum.

If you believe that a septorhinoplasty is right for you, contact Somenak + Pittman MD today at (202) 335-1124 to schedule a consultation.