How is a Deviated Septum is Fixed during Rhinoplasty?
Fixing a Deviated Septum during Rhinoplasty
Many patients wonder if they can have their deviated septum repaired at the same time they go for rhinoplasty. The answer is a resounding yes. It’s actually one of the more common requests Dr. Daniel Becker sees at his New Jersey office. Patients not only want a nose that makes them proud of their appearance, but they also want to end breathing problems caused by nasal obstruction.
What is a Deviated Septum?
Within your nose is a wall of bone and cartilage separating the left and right nostrils. This wall, the nasal septum, should be centered within the nose, but in many people it sits too far to the left or right making one nasal passage smaller than the other. A deviated septum may be present at birth or caused by an injury to the nose. In addition, changes in the nasal passage associated with normal aging can aggravate a deviated septum.
Deviation of the septum often leads to breathing problems due to the lack of airflow through the affected passageway. Nosebleeds and sinus infections are other symptoms. Some people wear nasal strips to widen the passage, but few like to wear the strips out in public. Some doctors prescribe regular use of decongestants or antihistamines to help decrease congestion. Surgery often becomes the best option to increase airflow.
Nasal Surgery
Rhinoplasty surgery helps to reshape the nose by adjusting the bone and cartilage. It can improve the aesthetics of the nose as well as the function. Septoplasty is the technique used to address a deviated septum. As the septum is realigned to the center of your nose, you gain equalized airflow in both nasal passages. When rhinoplasty and septoplasty are performed at the same time, this is often referred to as septorhinoplasty.
Do you have a nasal obstruction and a deviated septum and want to have that corrected while also improving the appearance of your nose? Dr. Becker, board certified in both facial plastic surgery and otolaryngology, has extensive experience in nasal surgery. Call his Sewell, New Jersey, office today at (856) 589-6673 or complete the online contact form.