Deviated Nasal Septum
(Deviated Septum)
Definition
A deviated nasal septum is a problem with the alignment of the wall that separates the left and right nostrils. This may make it hard for air to flow equally through each nostril.
Deviated SeptumCopyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. |
Risk Factors TOP
Playing contact sports raises the risk of this problem. Examples are karate or football.
Symptoms TOP
Some people may not have symptoms. Other people may have:
- Problems breathing through one or both nostrils
- Nosebleeds
- Sinus infections
- Noisy breathing during sleep
- Mouth breathing during sleep
Diagnosis TOP
You will be asked about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. It will focus on the nose. This is enough to make the diagnosis.
Treatment TOP
People who do not have symptoms may not need to be treated. Others may need surgery. This is called a septoplasty. The goal of surgery is to ease breathing by centering the septum between the two nostrils.
Rhinoplasty may also be done to reshape the nose at the same time. Together the two surgeries are called septorhinoplasty.
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery
http://www.entnet.org
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
https://www.plasticsurgery.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Society of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery
https://www.entcanada.org
Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons
http://plasticsurgery.ca
REFERENCES:
Deviated septum. American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed August 13, 2020.
Greenstone M, Hack M. Obstructive sleep apnoea. BMJ. 2014 Jun 17;348:g3745.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/obstructive-sleep-apnea-osa-in-adults. Accessed August 13, 2020.
Septal deviation and perforation. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/ear,-nose,-and-throat-disorders/nose-and-paranasal-sinus-disorders/septal-deviation-and-perforation. Accessed August 13, 2020.
Last reviewed March 2020 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
James P. Cornell, MD
Last Updated: 8/13/2020