Deviated Septum fix? (photo)

Question

My septum is deviated and it sometimes makes it challenging for me to breath through one of my nostrils. I'd also like my nostrils to be more symmetrical for aesthetics. Is this something a nose-job could correct? Thanks

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

I see the lower edge of your septum sticks out of your right nostril.  This is a very simple thing to fix by cutting out the excess cartilage in that area.  However, it may not be the cause of your breathing problem.  To diagnose that, you need an internal exam of your nose by either a plastic surgery or ENT doctor.

Evan Ransom, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for the photo and your question. This can absolutely be fixed with a septorhinoplasty.  It appears that the front of your septum is deviated, and the "foot" of your tip cartilage on the right side is out of place.  Surgical repair should improve both your breathing and the look of your nose.  As a nose surgery specialist, I perform a lot of rhinoplasty for functional and aesthetic reasons -- often together.  I would be happy to see you for a consultation to discuss the procedure in greater detail.Best of luck moving forward!Evan R. Ransom, MD#San Francisco Rhinoplasty  #Facial Plastic Surgery San Francisco

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Yes, the septal deviation can be improved, but the nostrils will never be perfectly symmetric after this alteration.  They never are.  The septal deflection alters your tip as well and changing the septum will change the tip as well.  Sometimes, these two things are at odds, and this becomes a compromise between the two.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

Septoplasty to correct deviated septum and improve the airway which will also remove the bottom portion of your septum which is making your nostrils asymmetrical. This is the end of the septum which has been fractured into the right side of your nose. See a very experienced rhinoplasty surgeon for this.

Ronald Schuster, MD · Answer

The end of your septum is quite deviated. Straightening it should help with the breathing and also make the nostrils look more even. There may be more deviation on the inside. An examination will be able to identify this. Good luck.

Andrew Pichler, MD · Answer

You clearly have a caudally (at the nostril) dislocated (deviated) septum. However one picture does not show the whole extent of the problem. Whether it is part of an entire nasal  deviation. You need to have an exam including an intranasal evaluation to determine what the ultimate procedure should be; septoplasty or septo-rhinoplasty.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Some asymmetry of the nostrils is normal, but deviation of the septum as you see it in that view can alos be corrected through surgery.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

When the deviated septum repair is performed sometimes the caudal-most portion of the septum is twisted, creating asymmetrical nostrils. Once the caudal septum had been repaired this should straighten nostrils. If not, consideration for a cosmetic alar plasty or tip plasty may be needed to address further asymmetries.

Richard W. Fleming, MD (retired) · Answer

Correcting your severely deviated septum should improve your breathing and definitely will  decrease your nostril asymmetry. With only one picture it is difficult to determine if there are any other cosmetic changes to consider.

Deviated Septum fix? (photo)

Answers (9)

More Rhinoplasty Questions

I have develop a dimple at the tip of my nose?

Could it still be very swollen at the base 5 months after open rhinoplasty? (photo)

Is my nose too large for my face? (Photo)

Is finesse rhinoplasty less expensive then normal rhinoplasty?

Can columellar strut septum extension be removed and tip sutured smaller?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS