The nasal septum is a wall that separates the nasal passages, made of cartilage and connective tissue. A deviated septum, also known as a nasal septum deviation, is a relatively common abnormality of the nose where one side of your nasal passage is smaller than the other.

You can be born with a deviated septum, it can develop as you grow or can be caused by an injury - such as a blow to the nose - or a haematoma (bleeding outside of your blood vessels).

Deviated septum symptoms include:

• Difficulty breathing through your nostrils – a blockage can make it difficult to breathe, especially if you have a cold or allergies that can cause your nasal passages to become swollen and narrow.
• Nosebleeds - the surface of your nasal septum may become very dry, causing your nose to bleed.
• Facial pain - if the inside of your nasal wall is affected, and surfaces within the nose touch, this can cause facial pain and headaches.
• Recurring sinus infections – a blocked airway makes you more susceptible to infection, as mucus is unable to drain from your sinuses.
• Noisy breathing or snoring during sleep - if your intranasal tissues become swollen, it may make your breathing noisier while you’re asleep.

Your GP may examine your nose following discussion of your symptoms.

They’ll use a bright light and a nasal speculum to spread open your nostrils for closer examination. A long tube-shaped scope with a bright light at the tip may also be used to check further back in your nose.

The symptoms of a deviated septum can sometimes be controlled with medications (e.g. decongestants, antihistamines or steroid nasal sprays) but these don’t address the underlying cause of the condition. 

If these symptoms are severe and your GP diagnosis a deviated septum, they may refer you to an ENT Consultant at Benenden Hospital for a consultation around your suitability for a septoplasty.

Septoplasty nose surgery is carried out to straighten a deviated septum, or if one of your nasal passages is smaller than the other.

The exact type of operation you’ll have will depend on your condition. Your Consultant will discuss this with you in detail before the surgery.

The septoplasty will be carried out under general anaesthetic, which means you’ll be asleep. Your Consultant will be able to reposition your septum by operating only on the inside of your nose. This means they won’t need to make cuts on the outside, so any scars won’t be visible.

The operation should last around an hour, depending on how complicated the procedure is. Because you'll need to have a general anaesthetic, your Consultant will tell you how long you should avoid eating and drinking beforehand. You should also arrange for someone to drive you home from the hospital.

You may be able to go home on the same day as your operation. We’ll arrange any follow-up appointments with you before you leave hospital.

Your nose will feel blocked for a few weeks and to prevent any bleeding you shouldn’t take part in any strenuous activity and avoid blowing your nose for the first two weeks. Most people recover very well after a septoplasty, but it may take up to three months for the full benefits to be felt.

The cost for a septoplasty is listed in the ENT section of our treatment prices page. To book an appointment, complete our online booking form or call our Private Patient Team on 01580 363158.