Deviated Septum, Septoplasty & Rhinoplasty

Septoplasty is necessary if you experience frequent nasal obstruction, that is not able to able to be controlled with medications. It can also be part of the therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). If a deviated nasal septum is left untreated, the symptoms of nasal obstruction will persist. If the problem is part of the spectrum of OSA, then long term complications of OSA such as high blood pressure, heart problems and increased risk of stroke may occur.

Septoplasty alone to address a deviated nasal septum is not meant to change the shape and appearance of your nose. A rhinoplasty can also be done at the same time (Septorhinoplasty) to change the shape of the nose. Septorhinoplasty can be functional or cosmetic, this will depend on the assessment by your surgeon at the time of consultation.

After the septoplasty or rhinoplasty, for about 2 weeks or so you will experience nasal congestion, blood stained mucus during the recovery period. This will lead to temporary loss of your sense of smell due to the nasal obstruction. Thereafter, the risk of loss of the sense of smell after the surgery (that lasts <6 mths) is uncommon, and has been reported to occur in <1% of patients.

Septoplasty alone to address a deviated nasal septum is not meant to change the shape and appearance of your nose, it is to improve the breathing and nasal obstruction. A rhinoplasty can also be done at the same time (Septorhinoplasty) to change the shape of the nose. Septorhinoplasty can be functional or cosmetic, this will depend on the assessment by your surgeon at the time of consultation.

A septoplasty alone to address a deviated nasal septum is not meant to change the shape and appearance of your nose, the aim is to improve the breathing and nasal obstruction. As such there will be no change in your appearance post-operatively, unless there has been excessive removal of the septum, which is very uncommon in the hands of most experienced ENT surgeons. The down time is about 2 weeks or so, where you will experience nasal congestion, blood stained mucus during the recovery period. I generally advise patients to avoid vigorous exercise for about 2 weeks.

I would roughly put it as btwn $7000- >$20,000This depends on whether it's a first surgery or a repeat (revision) surgery, the complexity and time needed for the operation, the use of implants or graft harvest from other parts of your body, and of course the surgeon's experience and facility fees of the operating theatre. The cheapest rhinoplasty will be the "simple" rhinoplasty which is that of inserting an implant into the nose, but that will usually not give the best results.

Septoplasty alone to address a deviated nasal septum is not meant to change the shape and appearance of your nose, the aim is to improve the breathing and nasal obstruction. A rhinoplasty can also be done at the same time (Septorhinoplasty) to change the external appearance and shape of the nose. When the deviated septum is mainly "internal", it is not necessary to perform a rhinoplasty at the same time to correct the shape of the nose.

The nasal septum is the wall that divides the left and right side of the nose.

A septoplasty is done to address a deviated nasal septum, especially if you experience frequent nasal obstruction, that is not able to able to be controlled with medications. It can open up the space in the the nasal passages so that you can breathe better, sleep better, and overall have more energy in your daily life!

Hi Xiang Yin ENT surgeons will do a thorough examination of your nose, including a video nasoendoscopy (nose scope) to asses if you have a deviated septum. Sometimes, it is obvious like the photo below. But in many patients, the deviation can only be seen with the video nasoendoscopy that all ENT specialists have in their clinic.