A deviated septum is a fairly common disorder of the nose that usually occurs as a result of either trauma to the nose or face, or in some cases may possibly be a congenital disorder. The nasal septum is basically the separation point of the nostrils. It is a ridge of cartilage in the nasal cavity that creates two nostrils. When there is unevenness to the top of the ridge thereby leaning to either the left or the right, an obstruction occurs. Health problems such as nasal polyps, sleep apnea, snoring, and poor sinus drainage, which result in puffy and dark circles under the eyes, are all possible signs of a deviated septum.

A Deviated Septum can be corrected by a medical procedure called a Septoplasty where the nasal septum is straightened, and in some cases cartilage shaved if there is excess causing the blockage leading to the health problems. During a Septoplasty, the physician works through the nostrils to separate the cartilage from the bone in order to straighten it. The cartilage is physically removed and corrected before being secured to the bone with splints, or sutures. Once this procedure has been completed it is necessary to pack the nasal cavities with special material, and then the nose is taped up with gauze.

Some bruising will appear as a result of the Septoplasty. Frequent changing of the gauze daily is necessary. Once bleeding has ceased the nasal packing may be extracted. The patient will be able to irrigate the nasal cavities with saline the following day. The normal recovery period is approximately one month, though most patients feel somewhat up to par after about one week aside from slight soreness and a little bruising. Patients are allowed to gently blow their nose the fourth day following surgery.