Deviated Septum Surgery (septoplasty)

Septoplasty surgery costs range from $2,730 to $5,609 for cash paying patients at facilities publishing prices openly on our site. These rates usually include facility, physician, and anesthesia fees, but be sure to read what is included, and verify with providers over the phone. If other procedures such as a turbinectomy are included, costs can go up to close to $7,000, though some facilities offer discounts on bundled procedures.

If you aren't careful, you could end up paying $10,000 to $20,000 or more. Most hospitals and other larger facilities can have very high "list" prices, and offer discounts only to insurers and street-smart cash payers. There's no need to get caught paying outlandish rates if you ask about pricing and payment beforehand.

Pricing Healthcare hosts published provider pricing for whatever procedures the provider chooses, but does not get involved in patient-provider interactions, including for payment.

The nasal septum is the wall between the left and right nostrils, separating the two nasal passages or airways. It is made of thin bone in the back and cartilage in the front, supporting the nose and directing airflow. When the cartilage or bone is not straight, the septum is said to be deviated. Having some deviation of the septum is common. The septum can be deviated at birth (congenital), can bend to one side or another as a part of normal growth during childhood, and can also be bent due to injury.

A crooked septum can make breathing difficult, and can also lead to snoring and sleep apnea. When a deviated septum is severe, it can block one side of the nose and reduce airflow, causing difficulty breathing through one or both nasal passages, and sometimes leading to recurrent sinus infections. Individuals with a deviated septum are also more prone to nosebleeds.

Surgery to correct or repair a deviated nasal septum is called septoplasty, submucous resection of the septum, or septal reconstruction. During the procedure, the septum is straightened and repositioned in the middle of the nose, which may require trimming, repositioning and replacing cartilage, bone or both (inside the nose). Turbinates, or shelves on each side of the nose, are often reduced in conjunction with the operation. Septoplasty also may be done to allow access into the nose to remove nasal polyps.

Septoplasty is generally only needed when non-surgical treatments do not improve breathing problems or snoring. Septoplasty is typically an outpatient procedure, 60 to 90 minutes in length, and is usually performed under general anesthesia.