Overview

A deviated septum is a condition in which the nasal septum is shifted away from the midline into one side of the nasal cavity, which obstructs the patient's airflow and inhibits breathing. A septoplasty is a surgical procedure to straighten a deviated septum. Matthew Bridges, MD, FACS, a Richmond area facial plastic surgeon, performs deviated septum repairs to relieve the patient's medical symptoms, improve the patient’s airflow, and correct any physical imperfections. 

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Surgical Technique

Septoplasty surgery is performed through an incision made inside the nostril. The tissue covering the septum is lifted and separated so that a clear view of the inside of the nose can be achieved and the bone and cartilage can be assessed. During the procedure, the deviated structures are removed or reshaped to correct the issue while preserving the shape of the nose. The incision is closed with sutures. As part of the post-operative preparation, the surgeon usually places a splint or soft plastic sheets inside the nose to help reduce scar tissue and align the septum as it heals. Nose packing may also be used in some cases to control bleeding.

Septoplasty Before & After

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Patient Reviews

I LOVE what the microneedling has done for my skin - the tone and texture is unbelievable. Thanks for introducing me to Circadia, too - Love all the products you recommended. Am...

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L.C.

Dear Dr. Bridges, Thank you so much for your amazing work on my nose! I'm so thrilled with how it looks, and I couldn't be happier! I hope you have a great rest of your summer.

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Anonymous

Dr Bridges takes the time to know his patients conditions and explains what must be done for treatment in user friendly language. staff is proficient and seems to genuinely care...

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R.S.

Dr. Bridges performed very complex surgery on my nose to repair a large loss to my left nostril due to cancer. At all times he ensured that I understood what the procedure would...

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J.W.

Extremely happy with the outcome of my nose surgery. I had sleep apnea....I was a true mouth breather. My nasal passages were thin slits! Dr Bridges gave me new cartilage ...

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D.B.

Dr. Bridges is an outstanding doctor. His easygoing personality and high level of expertise really set him apart from other doctors. He is a master of his craft and I know when ...

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J.S.

Dr Bridges is wonderful, so relatable and made me feel comfortable from the start. Thorough assessment that led to a wonderful result. Was sent to him for my deviated sept...

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J.H.

I had a most wonderful experience at this office. The staff are great and support the patient before/after surgery. I would tell everyone to come to this office. Dr. Bridges exp...

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Anonymous

Truly an amazing experience. Franki explained the laser procedure with me and made me feel extremely comfortable. I would highly recommend commonwealth and Franki for any services!

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A.B.

Dr. Bridges is fantastic. I always wanted a rhinoplasty but I waited to find the right surgeon. He's patient, listens, and delivers excellent results. He also fixed my dev...

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T.H.

Super friendly staff. Dr Bridges did the impossible. I had gone to several consultations with plastic surgeons in the Richmond area to fix a surgery I had on my nose about...

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J.D.

I got a septo/rhinoplasty with Dr. Bridges and had an amazing experience! The process was seamless from start to finish. I felt prepared for surgery and had a quick and ea...

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S.R.

Dr. Bridges reminds me of the old time family doctors…empathetic, competent, efficient. I wish all of my doctors were like him. Additionally, he has surrounded hims...

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V.H.

Dr. Bridges performed my rhinoplasty in June 2024 and I couldn’t be happier with the results. I wanted a rhinoplasty for years but kept putting it off. My tip really...

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A.F.

Super friendly staff. Dr Bridges did the impossible. I had gone to several consultations with plastic surgeons in the Richmond area to fix a surgery I had on my nose about...

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J.D.

Dr Bridges performed a Lipoma removal procedure on my forehead and I am truly satisfied. He is an excellent physician. His nurse is awesome as well. I was extremely nervou...

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T.Y.

Getting rhinoplasty to correct my larger nose has been a lifelong dream of mine, but the idea of doing it has always been scary/intimidating. Dr. Bridges and his team made...

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D.D.

I feel so grateful to have met Franki Lambiotte, the aesthetician at Dr. Bridges' practice!

I'd been interested in laser hair removal/reduction for...

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C.B.F.

My family have been patients at this practice for over 10 years. Franki Lambiotte has been wonderful with her services. My parents gave me laser hair removal packages as a...

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E.F.

Dr. Bridges is an amazing facial plastic surgeon, and we're so lucky to have him here in RVA. Amazing bedside manner, and actually listens to what you want to work with yo...

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M.P.

I’m blown away, pun intended. From the moment Dr. Shaia recommended Bridges, I have felt that my level of care was akin to what the president receives. The expertise...

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L.R.

Dr. Bridges is fantastic. I always wanted a rhinoplasty but I waited to find the right surgeon. He's patient, listens, and delivers excellent results. He also fixed my dev...

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T.H.

I had rhinoplasty by Dr. Bridges on November 20th 2019, almost 2 months ago. I had a great experience as a whole. Dr. Bridges was easy to talk to and his staff were all ve...

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J.S.

I was lucky enough to be one of the first of Franki’s clients to try the laser hair removal, Bare HR by Sciton, and loved the results on my legs and armpits. Franki ...

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M.W.

Franki has been my aesthetician for several years. I visit her every 2 or 3 months for either a hydrafacial or dermaplane facial. More recently, Franki recommended that I ...

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S.W.

In my teens, a mishap left my nose with a slight deviation and fractured. As the years passed, my nasal deviation worsened, turning my nose into something akin to a wilted...

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Anonymous

For the past few years I’ve been watching the lines on my face getting deeper and jowls forming. It was when I started to see my neck sagging that it was time to get...

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Anonymous

Septoplasty FAQ

Does septoplasty only correct breathing issues?

What causes a deviated septum?

Is it better to go to a plastic surgeon or ENT?

Does septoplasty only correct breathing issues?

Most patients will choose to have a septoplasty to help alleviate symptoms of a deviated septum. However, many of these patients like the look of their nose and thus are worried that surgery will change this. Septoplasty generally does not alter the appearance of the nose. In some cases, septoplasty can help to straighten a crooked nose or improve nostril symmetry. It is important to go to an experienced nose surgeon so that any visible changes are natural and subtle.

What causes a deviated septum?

A deviated septum can be caused by trauma, including birth trauma. Most patients with deviated septums do not recall a specific trauma to their nose, however. Sometimes, minor trauma to the nose in childhood can move the septum out of the midline, worsening as the nose grows in puberty. The majority (up to 80%) of the adult population has a deviated septum, but only a small percentage of those adults have symptoms severe enough for surgery.

Is it better to go to a plastic surgeon or ENT?

Most ENT surgeons are skilled in performing septoplasty. However, facial plastic surgeons are specially trained to preserve the look and shape of the nose or change it according to the patient’s desire. Some general plastic surgeons may send their patients to an ENT for septoplasty while they focus on rhinoplasty. It’s important to note that if a rhinoplasty surgeon cannot perform septoplasty, then patients should consider finding a new nose surgeon. The septum plays a critical role in rhinoplasty. Dr. Bridges is double board-certified in ENT and facial plastic surgery and thus understands the critical importance of both function and aesthetics in nasal surgery. He believes that mastery of septoplasty is critical in performing a successful rhinoplasty.

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