Septoplasty corrects a deviated septum that causes nasal obstruction or difficulty breathing through the nose. It straightens the septum (bone and cartilage that divide the nose into separate nostrils) to allow for better airflow. An incision is made on one side of the nose to access the septum. The doctor lifts the mucous membrane before moving the deviated septum into the correct position. Any extra cartilage or bone is removed. The mucous membrane is repositioned and the incision is closed. Changes made to the outside of the nose are known as rhinoplasty. If the surgery is only performed on the inside of the nose to address breathing issues, this is known as septoplasty.
