According to the Mayo Clinic, a deviated septum occurs when the thin lining dividing your nostrils is no longer located mid-line. Symptoms of a deviated septum include nosebleeds, sinus infections, nasal congestion and trouble breathing. Sometimes your deviated septum is congenital (present at birth) or due to an injury. The American Academy of Otolaryngology states that 80 percent of people in the United States have a deviated septum. If you have a deviated septum, there are a few ways to repair it.
Step 1
Go to your ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor for a surgical consultation. He will ask you questions about your deviated septum. Tell him about your nasal symptoms in detail. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, he will use an instrument called a nasal speculum to look inside your nose. With the help of a bright light, your ENT surgeon can assess the severity of your deviated septum.
Step 2
Schedule septoplasty surgery. Septoplasty involves cutting your nasal septum and adjusting it so that it is mid-line with your nose. This surgical procedure is performed entirely through the nose and is the most common procedure to repair a deviated septum.
Step 3
Obtain rhinoplasty (nose reconstructive surgery). Frequently, rhinoplasty is performed in conjunction with septoplasty, according to the Mayo Clinic. Your surgeon will move your nasal bones and tissue to help fix your deviated septum.
