Septoplasty

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Why it's done

By Mayo Clinic staff

Ideally, the nasal septum is positioned in the center (midline) of the inside of your nose so that the airway on each side is about equal. However, you may have a deviated septum, in which the septum is displaced to one side. A deviated septum can cause breathing difficulty and sometimes can contribute to other symptoms such as nosebleeds. Septoplasty straightens the nasal septum by trimming, repositioning, and replacing cartilage or bone.

If you experience symptoms — such as nasal airway obstruction — that significantly affect your quality of life, you may consider surgery to correct a deviated septum.

Risks Definition
References
  1. Kridel RWH, et al. The nasal septum. In: Flint PW, et al. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05283-2..X0001-8--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05283-2&uniqId=230100505-57. Accessed April 28, 2011.
  2. Fact sheet: Deviated septum. American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/deviatedSeptum.cfm. Accessed April 27, 2011.
  3. Ketcham AM, et al. Complications and management of septoplasty.
  4. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2010;43:897.
  5. Preparing for nose surgery. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/nose-surgery-.html?sub=Preparing%20for%20nose%20surgery. Accessed April 30, 2011.
  6. Rhinoplasty surgery steps. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/nose-surgery-.html?sub=Rhinoplasty%20surgery%20steps. Accessed April 30, 2011.
MY00703 July 16, 2011

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