ENT and Head & Neck Surgery
Septum Deviation
A leading cause of nasal obstruction; the difference between septoplasty alone and functional rhinoplasty.
What is septum deviation, and when is surgery needed?
Septum deviation is a leftward or rightward bend of the cartilage-and-bone partition between the nasal halves. It can be congenital or post-traumatic. The primary symptom is unilateral or bilateral nasal obstruction; secondary features include postnasal drip, sinusitis predisposition, snoring, and poor sleep quality. Asymptomatic deviations need no treatment. With clinically significant obstruction, septoplasty is standard; if external shape correction is also needed, septorhinoplasty is preferred. Modern technique preserves mucoperichondrium and conservatively reshapes cartilage.
Septoplasty vs septorhinoplasty
Septoplasty corrects only the internal septum; external shape is unchanged. Typical duration 60–90 minutes, closed approach, recovery with 7-day splint without packing.
Septorhinoplasty addresses both septum and external shape. Septorhinoplasty is preferred when the patient is already dissatisfied with external appearance or when external nasal valve repair (e.g., spreader graft) is needed alongside septum work.
Frequently Asked Questions
- No. Asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic deviations need no treatment. Clinically significant obstruction (mouth breathing at night, snoring, sinusitis predisposition) warrants surgical consideration.
- Modern technique gives recurrence around 3–5%. Trauma can re-cause deviation; care during sports activity matters.
- Ideally no. Excessive cartilage resection can rarely cause dorsal collapse (saddle nose); rare with modern conservative technique.
- After facial skeletal maturity (16–18+). In children, only for severe clinical obstruction.
- 5–7 days rest, splint removal day 7, 2–3 weeks of intensive-activity restriction. Desk work in 1 week.
References
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