Is surgery necessary for a deviated septum?

Written by Deng Bang Yu

Otolaryngology

Updated on September 18, 2024

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Nasal septal deviation refers to the situation where the cartilage and bone tissue of the nasal septum lean toward one side of the nasal cavity, representing a structural deviation. However, having just this deviation is insufficient for a complete diagnosis of a deviated septum. Symptoms such as nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and headaches must also be present to fully diagnose it. Treatment for a nasal septal deviation often involves surgical correction; however, surgery is not necessary for asymptomatic individuals with mere structural deviation. Surgery is opted for cases with structural deviation accompanied by symptoms like nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and headaches.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu

Otolaryngology

53sec

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Can a deviated nasal septum cause rhinitis?

A deviated septum refers to the condition where the cartilage and bone tissues of the nasal septum are skewed towards one side of the nasal cavity. This structural deviation can lead to nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and even headaches. If these symptoms are not present, it might be that the septum is deviated but not severely so. However, if these symptoms do appear, then it is necessary to address the deviated septum. There is an inevitable connection between a deviated septum and rhinitis, meaning a deviated septum will certainly lead to rhinitis. Rhinitis involves inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Therefore, the presence of a deviated septum will definitely cause rhinitis. Thus, actively treating a deviated septum greatly aids in the recovery from rhinitis.

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Written by Zhang Jun

Otolaryngology

58sec

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Can you drink alcohol with a deviated nasal septum?

Deviated nasal septum should not be associated with excessive drinking. Deviated nasal septum occurs either from abnormal development during the embryonic stage or from later trauma to the nasal cavity or tumor compression, leading to the septum bending to one side. This condition can cause persistent nasal congestion, which progressively worsens over time. Moreover, when the deviation of the nasal septum is severe, it can lead to thinning of the nasal septum mucosa. Drinking alcohol can cause the nasal mucosa to become congested and swollen, which may lead to the rupture of local blood vessels and severe nasal bleeding. Since the blood vessels in the nasal septum are arteries, the bleeding can be substantial. Therefore, it is crucial for patients not to consume alcohol. If a patient experiences severe nasal congestion and significant nasal bleeding, they should seek medical treatment for correction of the deviated septum, which can be curative.

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Written by Li Mao Cai

Otolaryngology

52sec

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Does a deviated nasal septum need to be treated?

Deviated nasal septum is a common clinical occurrence in otolaryngology, and many people are told they have a deviated septum during a physical examination, or they feel uncomfortable with their nose and then find out they have a deviated septum when checking. Whether to treat these conditions depends on the specific circumstances. If there is no discomfort in the nose, breathing is normal, the sense of smell is unaffected, and there are no other clinical symptoms, surgery is unnecessary for a deviated septum discovered during a physical examination. However, if there are uncomfortable symptoms caused by the nasal cavity or deviated septum, and after examination, the doctor confirms that these are due to the deviated septum, then active surgical treatment is necessary. Only by correcting the deviated part can a satisfactory treatment outcome be achieved.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu

Otolaryngology

1min 4sec

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Do deviated nasal septum and enlarged turbinates require surgery?

Whether surgery is needed for a deviated nasal septum and enlarged turbinates should be determined based on the following aspects. First, it depends on whether there are clinical symptoms, such as nasal congestion, and particularly if it is severe and persistent, and whether symptoms like nosebleeds and headaches are present. Symptoms are a necessity before considering surgery; Second, some tests can be conducted, such as a sinus CT scan, to assess the extent of turbinate enlargement and the severity of the nasal septum deviation. If the deviation of the nasal septum is severe, then surgery is absolutely necessary; Third, some tests related to nasal cavity function can be combined to determine the necessity for surgery. The main function of the nasal cavity refers to its ventilation capability, such as the nasopharyngeal reflex and nasal resistance tests. An overall assessment of the impact of enlarged turbinates and the deviated septum on the nasal cavity can then guide the decision on whether to undergo surgical treatment.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu

Otolaryngology

46sec

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Can a deviated nasal septum heal on its own?

The clinical diagnosis of a deviated nasal septum includes two parts. Firstly, there is a structural deviation of the nasal septum, where the cartilage and bone tissues lean towards one side of the nasal cavity. This deviation could appear in various forms, such as S-shaped bends or conical deviations. Secondly, these deviations cause nasal symptoms, such as chronic nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and even headaches. Both of these symptom parts are required to diagnose a deviated nasal septum, which can then be treated surgically. Since it is known to be a structural deviation, which is mechanical in nature, a deviated nasal septum cannot recover on its own and requires surgical intervention.