Deviated Septum Treatment in Corpus Christi, TX
The nasal septum is the wall of cartilage and bone that divides the nasal cavity into right and left sides. Ideally centered, it allows equal airflow through both nasal passages. A deviated septum occurs when it is displaced to one side, narrowing one passage and potentially obstructing the other. It is estimated that up to 80 percent of the population has some degree of septal deviation; however, only a subset is sufficiently symptomatic to warrant treatment.
Causes of a Deviated Septum
- Congenital: present at birth, sometimes related to birth canal compression or in utero positioning
- Traumatic: nasal fracture from sports injury, motor vehicle accident, or facial trauma
- Developmental: septal deviation can worsen as the nose grows during adolescence and early adulthood
Symptoms
- Chronic nasal congestion, typically worse on one side
- Difficulty breathing through the nose during physical activity or sleep
- Noisy breathing or snoring
- Recurrent nosebleeds from dryness at the convex surface of the deviation
- Recurrent sinus infections due to impaired sinus drainage
- Facial pressure or headache in severe cases
- Dry mouth from habitual mouth breathing
- Sleep-disordered breathing, including obstructive sleep apnea
Diagnosis
Evaluation begins with anterior rhinoscopy and nasal endoscopy. When concurrent sinus disease is suspected, a CT scan of the sinuses provides detailed anatomical information to guide surgical planning.
Treatment Options
Medical Management
For patients with mild symptoms, nasal corticosteroid sprays, saline irrigation, antihistamines, and decongestants may provide sufficient relief without addressing the structural deviation.
Septoplasty
Septoplasty is the definitive surgical treatment for a symptomatic deviated septum. Performed entirely through the nostrils with no external incisions, the procedure repositions and reshapes the deviated cartilage and bone to restore nasal airflow. It is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia and is frequently combined with turbinate reduction when inferior turbinate hypertrophy also contributes to obstruction. Patients typically experience significant improvement within two to four weeks of surgery.
Septoplasty vs. Rhinoplasty
Septoplasty is a purely functional procedure performed inside the nose with no change to external nasal appearance. It should not be confused with rhinoplasty, which addresses cosmetic appearance. When both functional and cosmetic correction are desired, a combined septorhinoplasty may be planned.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If a deviated septum is making it difficult to breathe through your nose, effective treatment is available. Call us at (361) 320-6130 or connect with us online to schedule a nasal airway evaluation.