Deviated Septum Surgery for Nosebleeds

A deviated septum is a condition characterized by a displacement of the thin membrane separating the left and right nostrils. Severe deviations may lead to symptoms including nosebleeds, which can be corrected with surgery.

The Facts

• Individuals may be born with septum deviations or acquire them through injury, according to the Mayo Clinic. Frequent nosebleeds can occur when a deviation abnormally dries out the surface of the septum.

Septoplasty

• A doctor may recommend septum surgery to end recurring nosebleeds, notes the Mayo Clinic. This procedure, called a septoplasty, involves repositioning the septum so that it divides the nostrils evenly.

Septoplasty Techniques

• During a septoplasty, your surgeon may need to cut portions of the septum, or remove sections of the septum altogether to attain a proper alignment, reports the Mayo Clinic.

External Effects

• Surgeons typically perform septoplasties through the interior of the nose, and the procedure does not produce bruising or other external signs, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery.

Outcomes

• A septoplasty frequently resolves all nosebleed symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic.