Many of my patients ask me, “What causes a deviated septum?” when we discuss their breathing problems during a septoplasty or nose surgery consultation.

You cannot be sure what caused the deviation unless there was acute trauma that you can recall after which you had a clear issue with breathing through your nose. Otherwise, a deviated septum may be due to passage as a neonate through the birth canal, trauma, normal pubescent growth of the nose, or previous unsuccessful surgery.

A deviated septum may be treated with a septoplasty which is a procedure in which the deviated portions of cartilage and bone are removed while maintaining the portions of the septum needed for support.

Dr. Funk is a facial plastic surgeon and ENT surgeon in Houston specializing in rhinoplasty, septoplasty, and revision rhinoplasty.