Do I need surgery for a deviated septum?
Commonly asked questions for an Otolaryngologist,Dr. Karen Fong.
Dr. Karen Fong specializes in advanced care for complex disorders of the nose, paranasal sinuses and skull base.
Dr. Fong completed her undergraduate degree at Stanford University, where she received a dual B.S. and M.S. in Biological Sciences. She received her M.D. degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. She went on to complete her residency training in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago, IL. Following the completion of residency, Dr. Fong spent two years as an NIH post-doctoral research fellow,studying the effects of steroids on olfaction.
After completing her residency and post-doctoral research fellowship, Dr. Fong joined the full-time faculty at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland Oregon as a member of the Oregon Sinus Center.
View her full bio here
Video Transcript
I get asked if you have a deviated septum if you need surgery. First of all, what is a deviated septum? Well, the nasal septum is the cartilage and bony structure that divides your nose into two sides. If it's crooked, this is called a deviated septum. The most common symptom associated with a deviated septum is nasal obstruction predominantly on one side. This is only an issue if you cannot breathe through your nose. If you have a deviated septum and you can breathe well through your nose, then there's no need to have surgery. Most people have some degree of septal deviation, but not everyone needs surgery. For more information, find us on YouTube or go to our website at bassmedicalgroup.com.
