Condition

Pediatric Deviated Septum

What You Need to Know

The nasal septum is made of cartilage and divides the nose into two separate chambers. A deviated septum is an abnormal configuration of the cartilage that divides the two sides of the nasal cavity, which may cause problems with proper breathing or nasal discharge.

Symptoms

Difficulty breathing through the nose (usually worse on one side)
Stuffiness, congestion or a feeling of fullness
In some cases, drainage of the sinuses is curtailed and results in repeated sinus infections

Diagnosis

Your child’s healthcare provider will take a health history and do a physical exam, which may include the use of a:

Handheld tool to gently open the nostrils
Lighted scope to look into the nostrils
Lighted instrument with a camera in it to look into your child’s nasal or sinus passages (nasal endoscopy)
CT scan of the nose and sinuses

Treatment

Surgery (called septoplasty) may be advised, depending on the severity of your child’s symptoms. Recovery from surgery may include:

Nasal packs or soft splints in the nostrils to stabilize the septum
A splint or bandage on the outside of the nose (if another procedure, such as rhinoplasty, is done)
Returning to school or nonactive work in a week or so

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Frequently Asked Questions

What causes a deviated septum?

What is septoplasty?

Septoplasty is a reconstructive plastic surgery performed to correct an improperly formed nasal septum. The procedure is performed entirely through the nostrils. During the procedure, badly deviated portions of the septum may be removed entirely or they may be readjusted and reinserted into the nose.

In addition to correcting a deviated nasal septum, septoplasty may also be performed to correct other problems such as cleft defects that affect the nose and nasal cavity, and a fistula in the maxillary sinuses.

What should my child expect during the septoplasty procedure?

Septoplasty may be performed with the traditional open surgical technique from inside the nose. When open surgery is performed, small scars will be located on the base of the nose, but they usually are not noticeable. Scarring is not visible when internal surgery is performed. Depending on the severity of the deviation, septoplasty may be performed in the following settings:

A surgeon's office
An outpatient surgery center
A hospital as an outpatient
A hospital as an inpatient

The surgeon will provide guidelines for resuming normal activities. Many children are up and around within a few days and able to return to school in a week or so.

What are the short-term side effects of nasal surgery for a child's deviated septum?

The following short-term side effects may occur. If symptoms do not subside, consult your child's physician.

Face will feel puffy
Nose may ache
Dull headache
Swelling around the eyes
Bruising around the eyes
Small amount of bleeding in first few days
Small burst blood vessels may appear as tiny red spots on the skin's surface

Healing is a slow and gradual process. Some swelling may be present for months, especially in the tip of the nose. Final results of nasal surgery may not be apparent for a year or more.

What are the complications associated with nasal surgery for deviated septum in children?

Meet the Providers Who Treat Deviated Septum

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Departments that Treat Deviated Septum

Otolaryngologist looking in young girl's ear

Ear, Nose and Throat (Otolaryngology)

Our ENT specialists offer expert care in ear, nose and throat conditions. Learn about our advanced pediatric ENT (otolaryngology) treatments.

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