Sinus & Nasal
Deviated Septum & Septoplasty
When the wall between your nasal passages is off-center, one side of your nose stays blocked no matter what sprays you try. Septoplasty straightens it — and lets you breathe.
Roughly 80% of people have some septal deviation; for many it causes no trouble. But when the septum significantly narrows one passage, it causes chronic one-sided congestion, mouth breathing, snoring, nosebleeds and recurring sinus infections. Dr. Bortniker diagnoses septal deviation with a direct nasal exam and endoscopy, and distinguishes it from swelling that would respond to medication.
Signs of a Deviated Septum
- One-sided nasal blockage
- Snoring & mouth breathing
- Frequent nosebleeds
- Recurring sinus infections
Talk to a specialist
Personalized evaluation for nasal blockage — at our Somerville and Warren offices.
What Septoplasty Involves
Septoplasty straightens and repositions the deviated cartilage and bone through the nostrils — no external incisions and no change to the outward appearance of the nose. It is typically an outpatient procedure, and it is often combined with turbinate reduction when enlarged turbinates add to the blockage.
Recovery
Most patients are back to work or school within a few days, with congestion during the first week as internal swelling settles. Full healing takes several weeks, and breathing typically improves noticeably as swelling resolves.
Do I Need Surgery?
Only if the blockage is truly structural and bothers you. Dr. Bortniker confirms the diagnosis first — sometimes what feels like a deviated septum is actually treatable swelling, and sometimes a smaller in-office procedure such as VivAer is a better fit than surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will septoplasty change how my nose looks?
No. Septoplasty works entirely inside the nose. It is a functional procedure for breathing, not a cosmetic one.