Is Fixing a Deviated Septum Worth It? A Look at the Pros & Cons

Getting your deviated septum corrected will involve time, money, and effort – so many people rightly ask, “Is fixing a deviated septum worth it?”

In this article we examine the pros and cons of undergoing septoplasty, the most common surgery for a deviated septum.

Benefits of Septoplasty

The benefits of getting deviated septum surgery include the following:¹Hytönen, M. L., Lilja, M., Mäkitie, A. A., Sintonen, H., & Roine, R. P. (2012). Does septoplasty enhance the quality of life in patients? European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 269(12), 2497–2503.

Couple of man and woman breathing deep fresh air

Ease of breathing: Septoplasty eases the process of breathing by correcting the deviated septum and eliminating the nasal obstruction.
Improvement in the associated symptoms: The surgery improves moderate-to-severe associated symptoms such as nasal obstruction, nasal discharge, facial pain, snoring, mouth breathing, reduced sense of smell, and dryness of the mouth.
Improved quality of life: The reduction in the symptoms post surgery can significantly improve the quality of life in the patient.
Reduced sinus infections: The presence of a deviated septum is known to cause blockage of sinuses, causing increased accumulation of mucus and subsequent sinus infections. Septoplasty allows easy drainage of mucus resulting in reduced sinus infections.

Septoplasty Risks

In spite of the benefits, there are also some risks associated with deviated septum surgery:

Risk of complications: Traditional septoplasty surgery may cause post-surgery complications such as infection, hematoma (septal swelling due to accumulation of blood), perforation of the nasal septum, or epistaxis (bleeding from nose). So, it is essential to opt for surgeons with greater expertise and experience.²Van Egmond, M.M.H.T., Rovers, M.M., Hendriks, C.T.M. et al. Effectiveness of septoplasty versus non-surgical management for nasal obstruction due to a deviated nasal septum in adults: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 16, 500 (2015).
Deformed nasal appearance: In some cases, septoplasty can lead to overcorrection of the nose, resulting in deformity which may affect the functioning of the nose.³Van Egmond, M.M.H.T., Rovers, M.M., Hendriks, C.T.M. et al. Effectiveness of septoplasty versus non-surgical management for nasal obstruction due to a deviated nasal septum in adults: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 16, 500 (2015).
Post-surgery morbidity: Excessive manipulation of the tissue or unnecessary trimming of bone during the septoplasty can cause severe pain, swelling, and may delay the healing of the nasal septum.⁴Van Egmond, M.M.H.T., Rovers, M.M., Hendriks, C.T.M. et al. Effectiveness of septoplasty versus non-surgical management for nasal obstruction due to a deviated nasal septum in adults: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 16, 500 (2015).
Lesser benefits in mild cases: Research suggests that in mild cases of nasal obstruction, the benefits of the surgery may not be significant.⁵Ketcham, A. S., & Han, J. K. (2010). Complications and Management of Septoplasty. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America, 43(4), 897–904.

Sources:

1
Hytönen, M. L., Lilja, M., Mäkitie, A. A., Sintonen, H., & Roine, R. P. (2012). Does septoplasty enhance the quality of life in patients? European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 269(12), 2497–2503.
2
Van Egmond, M.M.H.T., Rovers, M.M., Hendriks, C.T.M. et al. Effectiveness of septoplasty versus non-surgical management for nasal obstruction due to a deviated nasal septum in adults: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 16, 500 (2015).
3
Ketcham, A. S., & Han, J. K. (2010). Complications and Management of Septoplasty. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America, 43(4), 897–904.

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