Deviated Nasal Septum: When Do You Need Surgery?

October 28, 2025

2 min read

According to research, approximately 60—90 % of people have a deviated nasal septum. Do they need to have surgery? When is it absolutely necessary?

Key takeaways

According to research, approximately 60—90 % of people have a deviated nasal septum.
What causes a deviated septum?
How do you know if you have a deviated septum?

Who this is for

People exploring Respiratory system through nasal septum, surgery.

Why it matters

This piece helps you get oriented quickly, then move into a collection or series if you want to keep going.

Article author

Dr. Alex

Otolaryngologist

What causes a deviated septum?

Congenital defect. The septum consists of the front cartilaginous part and rear bony part. With proper development, the front and rear parts should lean against each other properly, which does not always happen.

After injury. Deviated septum is a frequent consequence of a broken nose.

As a compensatory consequence. It can happen due to the presence of a foreign object and polyps in a nasal cavity or the presence of certain disorders.

How do you know if you have a deviated septum?

The most frequent symptoms include:

Difficulty breathing through the nose
Frequent inflammation in the paranasal sinuses (sinusitis)
Snoring and OSAHS (obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome)
Dryness in the nose and mouth
Nosebleeds
Frequent otitis
Formation of crusts on the nasal mucosa in the absence of colds ( especially in a dry climate)
Headaches

People who have these symptoms should turn to an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) doctor, who examines the nose and sends patients for additional medical tests—for example, a rhinoscopy, which is an examination of the internal surfaces of nasal passages with a probe. This test helps to identify polyps, hematomas, abscesses, and tumors. A CT scan may also be needed to help determine the severity of the problem and ways to solve it.

Is surgery always needed?

Many people live with a pronounced deviated nasal septum and don't even notice. Those who feel good don't need surgery. Even with the discomfort, it is possible in some cases to alleviate it through conservative treatment such as medicines and physiotherapeutic procedures.

When surgery is the only answer

When tests show serious changes in nasal cavities, such cases may require surgery. The primary issue is seriously or completely obstructed nasal breathing. Surgery is justifiable when you cannot breathe easily through the nose, suffer from a runny nose, or cannot sleep without vasoconstrictors, snore regularly, or often have colds and otitis as a consequence of any acute respiratory disease. Surgery can only help in the early stage, so a decision should be made as early as possible.

How dangerous is surgery?

A septoplasty is considered a complex surgery as it is associated with a chance of heavy bleeding. In some cases, the surgery can be done using endoscopic procedures, which significantly reduce the risks. The outcome all depends on the anatomical features of the patient's nose.

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