A deviated septum occurs when the nasal septum (the internal dividing wall between the right and left sides of the nose) shifts away from the midline. When the septum is crooked, it causes obstruction of the nasal airways and makes breathing difficult.
The septum is comprised of bone and cartilage and is surrounded on each side by a mucosal lining. This mucosal lining covers and protects the cartilage and bone, and helps to keep the inside of the nose moist. The septum also allows for the direct transit of the air that we breathe in through our nostrils to go directly into the lungs.
A deviated septum is usually genetic or random, but may also be the result of injury or trauma to the nose.
Nasal congestion is the most common symptom associated with a deviated septum, and this congestion is usually worse on one side, and sometimes occurs on the side opposite the bend. Other symptoms include:
For some patients, the crooked septum can interfere with the drainage of the sinuses, resulting in repeated sinus infections.
During your consultation, your ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctor will ask you about your symptoms and if you have ever incurred trauma to your nose or if you have ever had previous nasal surgery. Your doctor will then use a lighted small endoscope to examine the general appearance of your nose, the position of your nasal septum, and inspect the nasal cavity from the front all the way to the adenoid area in the nasopharynx. For some patients, CT scans and allergy testing may also be ordered. If the deviated septum is causing troublesome nosebleeds or recurrent sinus infections, surgery may be the recommended treatment. Surgery would also be recommended if the deviation is determined to be a significant causative factor of your nasal obstruction.
Nasal obstruction refers to some blockage of the nose or nasal cavity. There are many things that can cause nasal obstruction. Allergies, for some patients, can lead to swelling of the nasal and sinus lining, which causes congestion and blockage. For other patients, the blockage may be due to a simple anatomical obstruction, such as an enlarged nasal turbinate, a polyp in the nasal passage, or a deviated septum.
There are a couple of non-surgical options available for patients to help alleviate symptoms associated with a deviated septum. These include Allergy Treatments and Medications:
Note, however, that these options do not correct the septal deviation.
A septoplasty is the preferred surgical treatment to correct a deviated septum and improve breathing. It is a minor, minimally-invasive, outpatient procedure. The procedure can frequently be done in the office under local anesthesia with oral sedation. The procedure is performed entirely through the nostrils where the surgeon makes a small incision in the septum and then removes the excess bone or cartilage required to even out the breathing space of the nostrils.
A septoplasty procedure is often recommended for patients who have persistent nasal obstruction where the deviated septum is determined to have played a significant role in the symptoms; for patients who have symptoms of nasal blockage and congestion; and for patients who have not responded to medical therapy (prescribed and over-the-counter medications). For these patients, a septoplasty can have a major, positive impact on nasal breathing, congestion, and quality of life.
A septoplasty can be frequently combined with turbinate reductions, and/or balloon sinuplasty and functional endoscopic sinus surgery. These procedures should not leave any bruising or facial swelling. A septoplasty can also be performed in conjunction with a rhinoplasty (nose job), and if this happens bruising and swelling are more common. For patients interested in altering the shape of the nose, Dr. Colin, a double board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon and Rhinoplasty expert, is available in our practice to perform these procedures. Please visit www.DrPero.com for more information about rhinoplasty.
If you are having nasal symptoms and think you may have a deviated septum, contact North Dallas ENT at (214) 382-5100 to schedule a consultation for evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment.
