Septoplasty is an operation to correct the nasal septum, a midline structure made up of cartilage near the tip of the nose and the bone farther back. The nasal septum is essentially the foundation of the entire nose, separating the right and left sides of the nose and helping to regulate nasal airflow. It is normally vertically situated. A deviated septum describes either cartilage or bone that is crooked, fractured, or bent, which often causes unilateral (one sided) nasal obstruction. If severe, deviation can result in bilateral (2 sided) symptoms. Developmental abnormalities (which are exceedingly common) and traumatic injury are the most common causes of a deviated septum. Previous nasal surgery can also result in nasal obstruction.

For more on the deviated septum, click here.

The goal in functional nasal surgery is to create even and adequate passages on both sides of the nose. If the external nose is crooked and not fixed, then the likelihood of  creating a straight septum with balanced air passages is low. Dr. Westreich believes that creating a uniform and straight nose, both internally and externally, is the best way to meet the functional and aesthetic goals when performing septoplasty and rhinoplasty surgery. Many patients with septal abnormalities will decide to have modest aesthetic corrections at the time of functional surgery. Many options for both cosmetic outcome and cost can be discussed with Dr. Westreich at the time of your medical evaluation.

Dr. Westreich believes that a thorough understanding of nasal physiology (how the nose works) is critical to surgical success. The symptom of nasal obstruction must be comprehensively evaluated, keeping the patient’s ethnicity and nasal architecture in mind, as all noses do not breathe through the same pathways. One such factor is the inferior turbinates: paired structures made of bone and erectile tissue that hang from the side of the nose bilaterally. These turbinates swell and obstruct your nose when you get a cold. Reduction in their size can be critical to improving nasal performance, especially in African American, Asian, and some Hispanic patients.

Finally, many other conditions, such as medication side effects, allergic rhinitis, irritant rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and systemic illness can contribute to breathing problems. These conditions can be treated medically and often do not require surgery. Failure to recognize and correct these underlying factors can result in ultimate surgical failure. Dr. Westreich will evaluate and medically treat you for these conditions.