Hallmark Speciality ENT Clinic · Kharadi, Pune
Deviated nasal septum and septoplasty in Kharadi, Pune
The septum is the wall that divides the inside of the nose into two sides. Many people have a septum that is slightly off-centre without any problem. When the bend is enough to block breathing, treatment may help.
This page is for information only. For diagnosis and treatment, please consult a doctor.
What is a deviated septum?
A deviated septum is bent or shifted to one side. Some people are born with it; in others it follows an injury to the nose. A marked deviation narrows one or both sides of the nose and can make it harder for the sinuses to drain.
The turbinates, ridges on the side walls of the nose, often swell at the same time, especially with allergies, and add to the blockage.
Common symptoms
- A blocked nose, often worse on one side
- Difficulty breathing through the nose, especially during exercise or sleep
- Mouth breathing and a dry mouth on waking
- Snoring
- Repeated sinus infections or facial pressure
- Nosebleeds from one side
When to see an ENT specialist
See an ENT specialist if your nose has been blocked for several weeks, if nasal sprays have not helped, or if a blocked nose affects your sleep or daily life.
After an injury to the nose, see a doctor promptly if the nose looks bent, you cannot breathe through it, or swelling develops inside the nose.
How it is diagnosed at the clinic
Dr. Halikar will ask about your symptoms and examine the inside of your nose. A nasal endoscopy, usually done after a numbing spray, shows the septum, turbinates and sinus openings in detail. A CT scan is sometimes advised, particularly if sinus problems are also suspected.
Treatment options
Medicines do not straighten the septum, but they can reduce swelling of the nasal lining and ease symptoms. Options include:
- Saline nasal rinses
- Steroid nasal sprays
- Treatment of allergies when they contribute
- Septoplasty, when the bent septum is the main cause of blockage and symptoms continue despite medical treatment
Septoplasty straightens the septum through the nostrils, usually with no cuts on the outside of the nose. It is often combined with turbinate reduction, and sometimes with sinus surgery if the sinuses are also affected. It is done to improve breathing and is not intended to change the shape of the nose.
What recovery generally looks like
Septoplasty is usually done under general anaesthesia, and many patients go home the same day or the next day. Soft packs or splints may be placed inside the nose for a short time. The nose usually feels blocked for one to two weeks while it heals, with some crusting and mild bleeding. Avoid blowing the nose hard, heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for the period advised. Breathing usually improves gradually over the following weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Will septoplasty change the shape of my nose?
No. Septoplasty works inside the nose to improve breathing. It is not a cosmetic operation and is not intended to change how the nose looks.
Can a deviated septum be treated without surgery?
Medicines cannot straighten the septum, but nasal sprays and treatment of allergies often reduce blockage enough that surgery is not needed. Surgery is considered when symptoms continue.
Can septoplasty help snoring?
It can help when a blocked nose contributes to snoring, but snoring often has more than one cause. An examination helps show whether the nose is a major factor.
When can I return to work after septoplasty?
Many people return to desk work within about a week, depending on how they feel and the type of work. Your surgeon will advise you.
Dr. Halikar’s relevant experience
Dr. Sudhir Halikar is a Consultant ENT, Head & Neck Surgeon with 33+ years of experience. He trained at Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital and Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai, is a former Associate Professor at IMSR Medical College, and performs surgery at Noble Hospital.
- Special interest in endoscopic nose, sinus and skull base surgery
- Functional endoscopic sinus surgery and turbinoplasty
Related treatments
This information is general and not a substitute for a consultation.