Deviated Septum Treatment in Cincinnati
Discover why a deviated septum can make it difficult to breathe, what can be confused with it, and how Dr. Jeffrey Harmon treats it in Cincinnati, Ohio.
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What Is a Deviated Septum?
The nasal septum is a wall that separates the right from the left nasal cavities. It is not visible externally, though a portion of it can be seen inside the nostrils using a headlamp. The septum is composed of a combination of cartilage – called the quadrangular cartilage – in the front and multiple bones in the back. The cartilage sits on the floor of the nose and is connected/supports the cartilage that contributes to the nasal tip and middle portion of the nasal bridge. The bones that form the septum are connected to the skull base near the brain, floor of the nose, and bony portion of the nasal bridge.
The cartilage and bone of the nasal septum are sandwiched between multiple soft tissue layers, the most superficial of which is called the mucosa. When the nasal septum is deviated, a portion of the cartilage and/or bones are shifted towards one side of the nasal cavity.
A deviated septum can restrict air flow through the nostril, depending on the severity and location of the deviation.
What Causes a Deviated Septum?
A deviated septum can be caused by one or more of the following:
- Trauma (e.g., accident, sports)
- Infection
- Auto-immune Disease
- Unknown
Most individuals with a deviated septum report no known cause. The most appropriate approach to treating a deviated septum is influenced by its cause(s). The causes that will be the focus here are trauma and unknown.
What Can a Deviated Septum Be Confused With?
A deviated septum can be confused with obstruction secondary to narrowing of other areas of the nose. These causes of obstruction include dynamic collapse of the opening of the nose at the nasal tip and static narrowing of the interface between the nasal septum and nasal bridge. These conditions can be treated with rhinoplasty surgery.
How Does Deviated Septum Treatment Work?
A deviated septum is treated with septoplasty surgery. This deviated septum surgery involves making an incision near the anterior – also known as caudal – portion of the septum on one or both sides of the nose. The soft tissue envelope is then lifted off either side of the cartilage and bone. The portion of cartilage and/or bone that is deviated and causing obstruction is removed. The soft tissue envelope is left in place and re-approximated.
There are rare instances where more extensive work is required. For example, some have significant deviation of the most anterior/caudal edge of their septum. This is difficult to treat because, in order to preserve the strength and structure of the nose, a portion of the most anterior/caudal septum and a portion of the septum at the nasal bridge needs to be left in place. This is called a septal strut. Severe deviations in the septal strut require more intensive work, even grafting of cartilage and/or bone to straighten it.
Importantly, however, a patient needs to have symptoms that correlate with a septal deviation for a septoplasty to be effective.
What Is the Primary Deviated Septum Symptom?
The primary symptom caused by a deviated septum is static nasal obstruction. These patients have difficulty breathing through one side of the nose with little-to-no variability. Some individuals complain of nasal obstruction but have no significant septal deviation. Others have septal deviation but no or highly variable nasal obstruction that does not correlate with the deviation on physical exam.
Is Imaging (CT or MRI) Necessary to Diagnose a Septal Deviation?
No, imaging is not necessary to diagnose a septal deviation. Direct visualization of the deviation or visualization with the use of an endoscope – a sort of flexible or rigid telescopic camera – can sometimes assist with the physical exam. In fact, imaging often misdiagnoses a clinically significant septal deviation. That is why imaging is not necessary to make the diagnosis.
Are There Visible Scars With Septoplasty Surgery?
No, all incisions are hidden inside the nose except in those rare instances where complex reconstruction of the nasal septum is required.
Does My Nose Need to Be Packed After Septoplasty Surgery?
No, packing is not necessary. Nothing is placed in the nasal cavities after surgery in most cases. Soft silicone stents with openings for breathing are sometimes placed for a few days in each nasal cavity for particularly complex cases.
Why Dr. Harmon Is Cincinnati’s Deviated Septum Expert
Dr. Harmon’s expertise stems from his residency training as a head and neck surgeon, followed by sub-specialized fellowship training as a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. He gained a great deal of experience dealing with a wide range of simple to complex septal deviations. He developed the necessary experience and expertise to become double board-certified in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He has continued to treat the range of septal deviations over his years of independent practice. In fact, he is a source of referrals for particularly challenging cases from general Otolaryngologists/Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) surgeons.
Improve your quality of life. Contact Dr. Harmon for treatment for your deviated nasal septum in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Written by Dr. Harmon
Discover the expertise and compassionate care of Dr. Jeff Harmon, a fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon deeply rooted in the Cincinnati community. A former collegiate athlete and Cornell University graduate, Dr. Harmon brings discipline, precision, and a global perspective to his surgical practice—refined through elite fellowship training in New York City.
Located in Hyde Park, Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery proudly serves patients throughout the Cincinnati area offering personalized facial aesthetics with world-class skill and a hometown heart.