Restore easy breathing by correcting a deviated nasal septum with septoplasty, a procedure that straightens the cartilage and bone blocking airflow. Dr. Ryan E. Stern, MD, our board-certified ENT, uses minimally invasive techniques to help you breathe freely again.
Breathe Easier by Straightening the Nasal Airway
Septoplasty, also known as deviated septum surgery, straightens a deviated nasal septum, the thin wall of cartilage and bone that separates the left and right sides of your nose. When the septum is crooked, it can block airflow and make it hard to breathe through your nose. During septoplasty, the septum is repositioned to open the nasal passages and improve airflow. The procedure is performed entirely through the nose, with no external incisions, and helps restore normal nasal function rather than changing the appearance of your nose.
What Does Septoplasty Treat?
Septoplasty treats problems caused by a deviated nasal septum, a structural issue where the thin wall between the nostrils is crooked or off-center. This deviation can narrow one or both nasal passages, limiting airflow and making it difficult to breathe through your nose. Over time, poor airflow can contribute to ongoing congestion, mouth breathing, disrupted sleep, and sinus drainage problems. By straightening the septum, septoplasty addresses the underlying blockage rather than just masking symptoms with sprays or medication.
If you have a deviated septum, it may cause symptoms such as:
- Chronic nasal congestion on one or both sides
- Difficulty breathing through the nose
- Frequent sinus infections or pressure
- Snoring or noisy breathing at night
- Reduced airflow during exercise or activity
Key Benefits of Septoplasty
Septoplasty offers long-term relief by correcting the structural cause of nasal blockage, helping you breathe more comfortably and rely less on ongoing medications.
Benefits may include:
- Improved airflow through one or both nasal passages
- Easier, more consistent nasal breathing day and night
- Reduced chronic nasal congestion and obstruction
- Better sinus drainage and fewer sinus infections
- Improved sleep quality and less nighttime breathing noise
- Enhanced sense of smell in some individuals
Your Septoplasty Experience
Your experience starts with a detailed consultation with Dr. Stern. He takes time to listen to your symptoms and review your breathing concerns, and then examines the septum with a nasal endoscope. If a deviated septum is identified, Dr. Stern explains how it’s affecting your airflow and discusses whether septoplasty is the right option for you.
If septoplasty is recommended, the procedure is performed through the nostrils under anesthesia, without any external cuts. Dr. Stern carefully lifts the thin lining inside your nose, trims or reshapes the deviated cartilage and bone, and straightens the septum. Small dissolvable supports can be placed to stabilize the septum as it heals.
Results From Septoplasty
After septoplasty, you may notice a gradual improvement in your nasal breathing as initial swelling subsides over the first one to two weeks. Breathing typically continues to improve over several weeks as the septum heals and the nasal lining settles into its new position.
The results of septoplasty are long-lasting because the underlying structural problem has been corrected. Once healed, most patients can enjoy permanent improvement in nasal breathing. However, managing allergies may help protect and optimize your long-term results.
Why Choose Dr. Stern?
Dr. Ryan E. Stern is a board-certified otolaryngologist and subspecialty-trained rhinologist with 25+ years of experience caring for the Pacific Northwest community. He specializes in minimally invasive nasal and sinus procedures that restore breathing with less downtime. Dr. Stern takes time to evaluate your anatomy and symptoms, ensuring surgery is only recommended when truly needed. If nasal blockage is affecting your daily life, schedule your consultation with Dr. Stern for septoplasty in Auburn or Federal Way, WA, today.
