What procedure is a patient diagnosed with a deviated septum likely to undergo?

A patient diagnosed with a deviated septum is likely to undergo septoplasty, which is a surgical procedure specifically designed to correct a deviated septum. The septum is the cartilage and bone structure that divides the nasal cavity into two nostrils. When this structure is misaligned or deviated, it can lead to various issues, such as obstruction of airflow, chronic sinusitis, and difficulty breathing through the nose.

In a septoplasty, the surgeon straightens or removes the part of the septum that is causing the obstruction. This procedure aims to improve nasal air flow and alleviate any related symptoms. It's important to note that while rhinoplasty is also a nasal surgery, it focuses more on the cosmetic aspects of the nose rather than correcting a deviated septum. Other options like nasal packing and sinusotomy are not primary procedures for addressing a deviated septum directly. Nasal packing is often used post-operatively or in other contexts, while sinusotomy involves accessing the sinuses rather than directly correcting deviations in the septum.