Does a deviated septum require surgery?

Written by Gao Tian
General Surgery
Updated on January 08, 2025
00:00
00:00

First, it is necessary to ascertain the degree of deviation, as a normal person's nasal septum is usually somewhat deviated. It is recommended to visit an otolaryngology department to complete relevant examinations to determine the extent of the deviation, and then decide on the next steps. If the deviation is severe and accompanied by clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion and nasal discharge, surgical treatment may be considered. However, for those who do not have symptoms and whose breathing is not affected, surgery is generally not considered. Therefore, the decision should be based on clinical symptoms and the degree of deviation. After surgery, it is important to rest, avoid strenuous activity, keep the area clean and dry, and prevent infection.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Gao Tian
General Surgery
47sec home-news-image

Does a deviated septum require surgery?

First, it is necessary to ascertain the degree of deviation, as a normal person's nasal septum is usually somewhat deviated. It is recommended to visit an otolaryngology department to complete relevant examinations to determine the extent of the deviation, and then decide on the next steps. If the deviation is severe and accompanied by clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion and nasal discharge, surgical treatment may be considered. However, for those who do not have symptoms and whose breathing is not affected, surgery is generally not considered. Therefore, the decision should be based on clinical symptoms and the degree of deviation. After surgery, it is important to rest, avoid strenuous activity, keep the area clean and dry, and prevent infection.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
53sec home-news-image

Can a deviated nasal septum cause rhinitis?

A deviated septum refers to the condition where the cartilage and bone tissues of the nasal septum are skewed towards one side of the nasal cavity. This structural deviation can lead to nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and even headaches. If these symptoms are not present, it might be that the septum is deviated but not severely so. However, if these symptoms do appear, then it is necessary to address the deviated septum. There is an inevitable connection between a deviated septum and rhinitis, meaning a deviated septum will certainly lead to rhinitis. Rhinitis involves inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Therefore, the presence of a deviated septum will definitely cause rhinitis. Thus, actively treating a deviated septum greatly aids in the recovery from rhinitis.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
44sec home-news-image

Is surgery necessary for a deviated septum?

Nasal septal deviation refers to the situation where the cartilage and bone tissue of the nasal septum lean toward one side of the nasal cavity, representing a structural deviation. However, having just this deviation is insufficient for a complete diagnosis of a deviated septum. Symptoms such as nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and headaches must also be present to fully diagnose it. Treatment for a nasal septal deviation often involves surgical correction; however, surgery is not necessary for asymptomatic individuals with mere structural deviation. Surgery is opted for cases with structural deviation accompanied by symptoms like nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and headaches.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
42sec home-news-image

Can a deviated septum be corrected with rhinoplasty?

Patients with a deviated septum undergoing rhinoplasty may be impacted, leading to the failure of the surgery. Excessive deviation of the nasal septum can cause narrowing of the anterior nostrils, making it difficult for the endoscope to enter the nasal cavity and increasing the difficulty of the surgery for the patient. Therefore, if a patient is found to have a noticeable septal deviation before rhinoplasty, it is usually necessary to first perform a submucosal septal correction surgery to correct it, and then proceed with the rhinoplasty after recovery. Moreover, in the operating room, we should operate carefully to avoid damaging the bony part of the nasal dorsum to prevent the collapse of the nasal bridge.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
53sec home-news-image

Can a deviated nasal septum cause nosebleeds?

Deviated nasal septum refers to the fracture of the cartilage of the nasal septum, deviating toward one or both nasal cavities. Patients with a deviated nasal septum are prone to bleeding, and this bleeding tends to recur. This is because after the cartilage of the nasal septum deviates toward one side of the nasal cavity, continuous breathing causes the airflow to rub against the protruding nasal mucosal tissue of the deviated side. Additionally, after the deviation, the nasal mucosal tissue itself becomes thinner. Under these conditions, the thinner mucosal tissue at the deviated part is more likely to rupture and get damaged, making it prone to erosion and bleeding, and the blood vessels are also more likely to rupture, leading to bleeding. In summary, a deviated nasal septum can lead to nosebleeds.