What Age is Right for Surgery on a Deviated Septum? (photo)

Before a patient commits to the septoplasty procedure
to correct a deviated septum, it is important that he or she has reached full
physical maturity. This way, your surgeon can make sure that your nose has
stopped growing and that the surgery will accurately address the breathing
problems associated with a deviated septum. For women, physical maturity is
typically reached by age 18. Males continue to grow and develop until about age
20. Your surgeon is right; it is best for you wait another few years to best
ascertain that breathing problems will not recur.

Dear k225786: Thank you for your question. There is know exact age for men or women. The deciding factor is based more on skeletal maturity, septal pathology, and nasal airway obstruction. I have operated on men younger than you and I have had men wait until after 21. The answer is it depends. Sometimes if the nasal airway obstruction is severe we will operate early. If you are uncomfortable with anything your surgeon has said it is OK to seek a second opinion. Hope this helps