Deviated Septum Treatment in Cincinnati
Serving Cincinnati, Ohio & the Tri-State RegionDiscover why a deviated septum can make it difficult to breathe, what can be confused with it, and how Dr. Jeffrey Harmon treats it in Cincinnati, Ohio.
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What Can a Deviated Septum Be Confused With?
A deviated septum can be confused with obstruction secondary to narrowing of other areas of the nose. These causes of obstruction include dynamic collapse of the opening of the nose at the nasal tip and static narrowing of the interface between the nasal septum and nasal bridge. These conditions can be treated with rhinoplasty surgery.
How Does Deviated Septum Treatment Work?
A deviated septum is treated with septoplasty surgery. This deviated septum surgery involves making an incision near the anterior – also known as caudal – portion of the septum on one or both sides of the nose. The soft tissue envelope is then lifted off either side of the cartilage and bone. The portion of cartilage and/or bone that is deviated and causing obstruction is removed. The soft tissue envelope is left in place and re-approximated.
There are rare instances where more extensive work is required. For example, some have significant deviation of the most anterior/caudal edge of their septum. This is difficult to treat because, in order to preserve the strength and structure of the nose, a portion of the most anterior/caudal septum and a portion of the septum at the nasal bridge needs to be left in place. This is called a septal strut. Severe deviations in the septal strut require more intensive work, even grafting of cartilage and/or bone to straighten it.
Importantly, however, a patient needs to have symptoms that correlate with a septal deviation for a septoplasty to be effective.
What Is the Primary Deviated Septum Symptom?
The primary symptom caused by a deviated septum is static nasal obstruction. These patients have difficulty breathing through one side of the nose with little-to-no variability. Some individuals complain of nasal obstruction but have no significant septal deviation. Others have septal deviation but no or highly variable nasal obstruction that does not correlate with the deviation on physical exam.
Written by Dr. Harmon
Discover the expertise and compassionate care of Dr. Jeff Harmon, a fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon deeply rooted in the Cincinnati community. A former collegiate athlete and Cornell University graduate, Dr. Harmon brings discipline, precision, and a global perspective to his surgical practice—refined through elite fellowship training in New York City.
Located in Hyde Park, Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery proudly serves patients throughout the Cincinnati area offering personalized facial aesthetics with world-class skill and a hometown heart.