Deviated Septum Specialist
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Houston Sinus Surgery
Ear, Nose & Throat Doctors & Sinus Specialists located in Houston, TX
If your nose is crooked or if breathing is difficult, you may have a deformity known as a deviated septum. Cecil Yeung, MD is an expert ENT surgeon and facial plastic surgeon at Houston Sinus Surgery, and can repair your deviated septum with septoplasty or rhinoplasty. If you live in the Houston area and want to rectify your deviated septum for functional or aesthetic reasons, call the helpful staff or book your appointment online.
Deviated Septum Q & A
What is a deviated septum?
The two sides of your nose are divided by the septum, a structure composed of bone and cartilage that runs right down the center of your nose. Either side of the septum is covered in mucosal tissue. In 80% of Americans, the septum is off-center or crooked (deviated).
Most of the time, deviated septums don’t cause any functional problems. However, the soft tissue in a severely deviated septum can partially block your nostril, making it more difficult to breathe. Deviated septums may contribute to snoring or sleep apnea. Some deviated septums also create aesthetic concerns.
Why do I have a deviated septum?
Slight degrees of asymmetry in the human body is normal, including in the nose and septum. Deviated septums that result in functional problems may be caused by:
- Structural abnormality during fetal development
- Broken nose or other nose trauma
- Breakdown of cartilage due to aging
When should I have a deviated septum fixed?
You don’t need to fix a deviated septum unless it’s interfering with your breathing, causing congestion, or if you feel it makes your nose look unattractive.
Because Dr. Yeung is double board-certified as an ENT surgeon and facial plastic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience straightening deviated septums, he can correct both functional and aesthetic problems in your nose.
How do doctors fix a deviated septum?
Dr. Yeung always begins with the most conservative treatments that are appropriate for your case. He may recommend:
- Decongestants (short-term use only)
- Steroids
- Antihistamines
If conservative measures don’t improve your breathing or sleep apnea, he may recommend septoplasty.
What is septoplasty?
Septoplasty is plastic surgery on the nose that corrects a deviated septum. Dr. Yeung performs septoplasty from inside the nose without breaking the nasal bones, so there are no scars and no need for nasal packing.
You have your surgery at Houston Sinus Surgery under local anesthesia, and you can return to work and your regular routine within a week.
Will septoplasty make my nose look better?
Septoplasty only corrects functional problems. If you’d like to improve the aesthetic appearance of your nose, Dr. Yeung can do that, too, with an additional surgery called rhinoplasty that shortens, straightens, or refines your nose.
Whether your deviated septum interferes with your breathing or simply makes you feel self-conscious, Dr. Yeung can help. If you’re interested in septoplasty or rhinoplasty, contact his team at Houston Sinus Surgery or book a consultation online.
