What is septoplasty?

Septoplasty is a surgical procedure performed to correct a deviated septum. The septum is a wall of bone and cartilage, which separates the two nostrils. A deviated septum or "crooked" septum occurs when the septum is shifted towards one side of the nasal cavity. This can cause difficulty breathing and reduced airflow due to blockage of the nasal airway.

During septoplasty surgery, the septum is straightened and repositioned to the middle of the nose. This procedure may include cutting and removing parts of the septum before reinserting them into the correction position. A septoplasty can be performed by itself or often it can be combined with a rhinoplasty.