The nasal septum is the wall that divides the nasal cavity into two passages. Its shape and position are essential for smooth, filtered, and humidified airflow.
When the septum is deviated, airflow becomes turbulent and restricted, leading to nasal congestion, obstruction, and difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils.

In children, nasal breathing supports proper facial growth, sinus ventilation, and middle-ear health. Chronic mouth breathing may disrupt facial proportions and dental occlusion, and increase sinus/ear problems.

In adults, impaired nasal breathing—especially at night—causes mouth breathing, snoring, dryness, and venous congestion (dark circles under the eyes). It may worsen rhinitis, increase nosebleeds, reduce exercise tolerance, and affect cardiovascular and neurological health due to poor oxygenation.

Septoplasty is performed under general anesthesia in about one hour.

No visible scars are left.

The surgeon makes internal incisions to access the septum.

The lining is lifted, and the cartilage and/or bone are reshaped or repositioned.

In some cases, silicone splints are placed to stabilize the septum and allow patients to breathe immediately during recovery.

A deviated septum can cause:

• Persistent nasal obstruction.
• Congestion and difficulty breathing during sleep or exercise.
• Recurrent sinusitis or nosebleeds.
• Sleep-disordered breathing (snoring or sleep apnea).

When symptoms affect daily life or do not improve with medical treatment, septoplasty in Abu Dhabi & Dubai may be the best solution.

Septoplasty may be performed alone or combined with:

• Turbinate reduction (to treat chronic nasal congestion).
• Endoscopic nasal or sinus surgery (for sinus disease).
• Rhinoplasty (for cosmetic and functional improvement → septorhinoplasty).

When breathing problems interfere with rest, work, sports, or daily activities, surgery can significantly improve well-being

When sprays (saline rinses, intranasal steroids) or medications (e.g., antihistamines for allergies) do not provide lasting relief.

Blockage of one or both nostrils, often worse at night or during exercise, due to a deviated septum.

Septal deviation can disrupt sinus drainage and irritate nasal mucosa, leading to repeated infections or bleeding.

Enlarged turbinates combined with septal deviation can cause constant congestion, requiring surgical correction.

Snoring, mouth breathing, or sleep apnea aggravated by nasal blockage can be improved with septoplasty.

A deviated septum may create pressure points inside the nose, causing discomfort, reduced oxygen intake, and lower exercise tolerance.

The procedure typically takes about 1 hour.

It is usually performed under general anesthesia, ensuring comfort and safety for the patient.

Internal incisions are made inside the nasal passages (no visible scars).

The nasal lining is gently lifted to access the septum.

The deviated cartilage and/or bone are repositioned, trimmed, or reshaped to restore proper alignment and open the nasal passages.

If needed, complementary techniques are used to reinforce the septum’s structure for greater stability and long-term results.

Importantly, traditional nasal packing is not required, making recovery more comfortable.

The incisions are closed with absorbable stitches that dissolve naturally.

In certain cases, silicone splints are placed to stabilize the septum while still allowing the patient to breathe comfortably from day one.

During any aesthetic nasal surgery, preserving and optimizing nasal function is essential. If airflow is blocked by a deviated septum, simply reshaping the outside of the nose won’t solve the underlying problem. That is why septoplasty is often performed together with rhinoplasty:

Septoplasty straightens the septum, opening the airway and restoring healthy breathing.

Rhinoplasty refines the external shape, improving harmony and balance with facial features.

By addressing both structure and appearance, patients enjoy results that are functional, natural, and long-lasting.

Dr. Escobar emphasizes that a thorough septal assessment should be part of every rhinoplasty consultation. Even in cases where the septum does not cause major breathing issues, subtle deviations or weaknesses may affect both stability and aesthetics. Identifying and correcting these at the time of surgery supports:

Comprehensive correction that avoids the need for future revision surgery.

Durable aesthetic results that remain stable over time.

Reliable breathing with improved airflow and nasal function.

The nasal septum is not only corrected for airflow but also often serves as a source of cartilage grafts. These grafts are used to reinforce weak areas, correct asymmetries, or provide additional support to the nasal tip or bridge. This dual use ensures that both function and aesthetics are fully addressed.

Functional benefit: Septoplasty straightens the nasal septum, restoring clear airflow and resolving obstruction, snoring, or recurrent sinus issues.

Aesthetic refinement: Rhinoplasty corrects cosmetic concerns such as a dorsal hump, crooked nose, or drooping tip.

Durable results: Treating function and aesthetics together ensures stability, preventing future problems that could appear if only one aspect is corrected.

During septo-rhinoplasty, Dr. Escobar carefully evaluates the septum, cartilage, and nasal shape.

By integrating both procedures, patients enjoy the dual benefit of improved breathing and enhanced appearance in a single surgery and recovery period.

The septum is straightened and stabilized, sometimes serving as a source of cartilage grafts for reconstructive or cosmetic refinement.

The external nose is reshaped to achieve facial harmony while preserving natural proportions.

This approach is especially valuable for:

Individuals who have had trauma or prior surgery that affected both function and aesthetics.

Patients with a deviated septum causing chronic obstruction or breathing issues.

Those who also want to correct cosmetic concerns (hump, asymmetry, wide bridge, drooping tip).

Most patients need about 7–10 days of downtime before returning to work or daily routines.

During this stage, swelling, congestion, and mild discomfort are common but steadily improve.

Unlike traditional nose surgeries, Dr. Escobar’s advanced techniques avoid nasal packing, making recovery far more comfortable.

While breathing improvement is often noticeable right away, full healing of cartilage and bone alignment takes 3–6 months.

The nose continues refining internally over this period, with subtle changes in airflow and stability.

Dr. Paulo A. Escobar personally supervises each step with customized follow-up visits to ensure safe, predictable results.

Medications: Follow prescriptions and use saline sprays exactly as directed.

Sleep elevated: Keep your head raised with 2 pillows for 10–14 days to reduce swelling and bleeding risk.

No nose blowing: For at least 2 weeks, avoid blowing your nose. Use saline sprays or irrigations instead, and sneeze with your mouth open if needed.

Gentle activity: Light walking is encouraged from day one, but avoid heavy lifting, jogging, or HIIT for 4–6 weeks. Many patients resume light training after ~3 weeks, if cleared by Dr. Escobar.

Clothing: Wear front-fastening shirts to avoid contact with the nose.

Reduce risks: Avoid hot showers, saunas, smoking, and vaping during the first weeks to minimize bleeding and swelling.

Confidence in results: With over 20 years of international ENT and facial plastic surgery experience, Dr. Escobar ensures that each septoplasty in Abu Dhabi and Dubai is safe, effective, and tailored to individual needs.

Immediate improvement: Many patients report clearer breathing from the first day, thanks to modern splints that allow airflow during healing.

Gradual refinement: Over weeks, swelling decreases and comfort improves; over months, breathing efficiency and nasal structure stabilize.