Septoplasty straightens the deviated central partition of the nose — the septum — to open the airway. The incisions are inside the nose and the outer appearance does not change.
This page explains what a deviated septum is, when surgery is advised, how septoplasty is performed and what recovery involves, including how patients from abroad plan a short stay in Izmir.
What is a deviated septum?
The septum is a partition made of cartilage at the front and bone at the back. Displacement to one side — from birth, during growth or after an injury — is common. If the deviation narrows the airflow, it can cause obstruction, mouth breathing, snoring and recurrent sinus complaints.
| Symptom | Explanation |
|---|---|
| One- or two-sided obstruction | More pronounced on the side of the deviation; turbinate enlargement on the opposite side may add to it |
| Mouth breathing | Especially at night and during exertion |
| Snoring, disturbed sleep | Due to increased nasal resistance |
| Recurrent sinusitis | Impaired ventilation of the sinus openings |
| Nosebleeds | Drying of the mucosa over the deviated part |
| Headache, facial pressure | Where the deviation touches the side wall |
Who is a candidate?
Septoplasty is considered in patients in whom a deviation is seen on examination, obstruction has not improved sufficiently with medical treatment and symptoms affect daily life. The AAO-HNS clinical indicators for septoplasty recommend surgery where examination findings and symptoms match.
In the following situations septoplasty alone may not be enough, and additional procedures are planned within functional nose surgery:
- Nasal valve narrowing or side-wall collapse
- Marked turbinate enlargement
- A crooked nose visible from the outside
- Loss of support after a previous operation
How is the operation performed?
Septoplasty is usually performed under general anaesthesia; in suitable patients local anaesthesia with sedation is possible. It takes 45–90 minutes.
- Incision: a small incision inside the nose along the front edge of the septum.
- Elevation: the mucosa covering the septum is gently lifted off the cartilage.
- Correction: deviated cartilage and bone are straightened; where necessary deviated pieces are removed, flattened and replaced. The front and upper edges of the septum are preserved to maintain support.
- Turbinates are reduced in the same session if enlarged.
- Closure: the mucosa is laid back and the septum secured with sutures; silicone splints are placed if needed.
Endoscopic septoplasty gives a better view of posterior deviations and disturbs the mucosa less.
What does the evidence say?
A pragmatic randomised trial published in The Lancet and the NAIROS trial both reported clearer improvement with septoplasty than with medical treatment in obstruction due to a deviated septum. A meta-analysis of randomised trials reached a similar conclusion.
These are group-level findings; the individual result depends on the site of the deviation, associated turbinate and valve problems and the way the tissues heal.
Planning a visit from abroad
| Step | When | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| First contact | Weeks before | History and any previous scan shared; preliminary opinion |
| Arrival and consultation | 1 day before surgery | Endoscopic examination, CT if needed, informed consent |
| Surgery | Day 0 | General anaesthesia; discharge same day or next morning |
| Follow-up | Days 1 – 4 | Silicone splints removed, saline rinses started |
| Departure | Day 4 – 6 | Flying is usually possible after the final check |
| Remote follow-up | Weeks 2 – 12 | Symptom report by e-mail or WhatsApp |
What does recovery look like?
The times below are typical ranges; they vary between individuals and are not a personal guarantee.
| Period | What to expect |
|---|---|
| First 24 – 48 hours | Congestion, slight oozing, a feeling of pressure |
| Days 1 – 3 | Silicone splints removed, if used |
| Days 3 – 7 | Crusting; saline rinses recommended |
| Days 5 – 7 | Return to desk work for most patients |
| Weeks 2 – 3 | Return to sweaty exercise; breathing noticeably easier |
| Weeks 6 – 12 | Mucosal healing complete |
During recovery, avoid blowing the nose and heavy lifting, and keep up the saline rinses.
What are the risks?
The list below is not exhaustive; individual risks are discussed at the consultation and during the informed-consent process.
- Bleeding, infection, anaesthetic risks
- Crusting and temporary dryness
- Septal perforation
- Temporary altered sensation of the front teeth or palate
- Partial persistence of obstruction or some recurrence of the deviation
- Rarely, sagging of the bridge due to loss of septal support
How is the decision made?
At the consultation the inside of the nose is examined endoscopically; the site of the deviation, the turbinates and the nasal valves are assessed. A CT scan may be requested to image the bony structures and sinuses.
If symptoms and examination findings match and medical treatment has been insufficient, septoplasty is considered. The scope of the operation is widened according to any associated problems.
The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not replace a medical consultation. Whether septoplasty is suitable for you can only be determined after an in-person examination.
