Why is the Bent Septal Cartilage Sometimes Removed, Sometime Reshaped in Septoplasty?

The decision to remove or reshape cartilage in septoplasty depends on  where the cartilage is and how badly it is bent.  The surgeon should only remove the portions that are necessary to straighten a septum in order to maintain the strength of the septum and external nose.  Taking too much of the septum can lead to a change in the external nose or lead to a "floppy" septum and cause difficulty breathing through the nose. Each patient's septum should be critically analyzed and addressed individually.  A surgeon should not perform the same septoplasty on every patient.