What is Septoplasty?

Septoplasty is a surgery to straighten a deviated septum . The septum is the wall dividing the left and right nasal cavities. It is made of cartilage and bone and is lined with a thin mucus membrane.

A normal septum is relatively straight and in the center of the nose. A deviated septum is bent or significantly off-center. Septal deviation may occur during development in the womb, during birth, as your nose grows, or after a traumatic injury. Septoplasty may be done at the same time as other nasal surgery, like rhinoplasty .

Septoplasty is considered if a deviated septum obstructs your nasal passages. The obstruction can cause impaired nasal breathing, sinus infections , obstructive sleep apnea , recurrent nose bleeds , or a runny nose. A deviated septum may also need to be corrected with septoplasty if it causes chronic headaches.

Deviated Septum © 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a septoplasty, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Numbness in the tip of the nose or upper front teeth
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Septal perforation (a hole in the septum)
• No improvement in symptoms
• Poor cosmetic outcome

Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Bleeding disorders
• Medical problems, such as cardiac disease
• Cocaine use
• Prior nasal surgery with excessive scarring
• Taking certain medicines

Call Your Doctor

After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills *...