Kare Plastic Surgery · Los Angeles & Santa Monica
Deviated Septum Repair Los Angeles
804 7th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90403 · (310) 998-5533
Functional septoplasty and septorhinoplasty nasal airway restoration, precise surgical planning, and same-surgery cosmetic refinement available by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian at Kare Plastic Surgery
Call (310) 998-5533 Schedule a Consultation
Board-Certified Plastic SurgeonCertified Plastic Surgeon
Broken Nose Repairseptoplasty and rhinoplasty
Deviated Septum Repair Los Angeles
Broken Nose Repair
Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian, MD FACS Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Septoplasty · Septorhinoplasty · Nasal Airway Restoration · Cosmetic Rhinoplasty · Kare Plastic Surgery, Los Angeles
A deviated nasal septum is one of the most prevalent anatomical variations in the adult population — estimated to affect more than 80% of people to some degree, with a meaningful proportion experiencing symptomatic nasal airway obstruction that affects sleep quality, exercise tolerance, sinus health, and daily quality of life. Chronic nasal congestion that is unresponsive to antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal corticosteroid sprays, and that is identified as structural in origin on nasal examination, is the primary indication for septoplasty.
At Kare Plastic Surgery, Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian, MD FACS brings a plastic surgeon's precision to every septoplasty — beginning with a thorough nasal examination and airway assessment, followed by meticulous pre-operative surgical planning that maps the deviation, the cartilaginous and bony contributions, and any secondary structural changes (turbinate hypertrophy, external nasal deformity) that need to be addressed simultaneously. The surgical marking performed before every procedure ensures that the operative plan is fully established before the patient enters the operating room.
Kare Plastic Surgery · Los Angeles · (310) 998-5533
Chronic nasal obstruction or difficulty breathing? Schedule a deviated septum consultation with Dr. Karamanoukian today.
Surgical Planning — Kare Plastic Surgery · Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian
Pre-Operative Septoplasty Marking — Planning Where Every Incision Goes Before Surgery Begins
Actual patient at Kare Plastic Surgery · Pre-operative surgical marking for deviated septum repair and septorhinoplasty by Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian · Santa Monica
Pre-Operative Septoplasty Surgical Marking · Dr. Karamanoukian · Kare Plastic Surgery, Santa Monica Columellar and dorsal nasal marking for open septorhinoplasty · Midline reference, incision planning, and structural landmarks mapped before surgery begins · Dr. Karamanoukian's precision planning approach
Why Surgical Marking Matters
Every septoplasty and septorhinoplasty at Kare Plastic Surgery begins with meticulous pre-operative surgical marking — documenting the midline axis of the nose, the planned columellar incision for open approach, dorsal reference points, and the anatomical landmarks that orient the surgeon throughout the procedure. This marking step, performed before any anesthetic, establishes the operative plan in the most useful context: the patient's nose in its natural state, without tissue distortion from infiltration or positioning.
Open vs. Endonasal Approach
Dr. Karamanoukian determines the surgical approach — endonasal (no external incision) or open (columellar incision as seen in this patient's marking) — based on the complexity of the septal deviation, the presence of external nasal deformity, and whether simultaneous rhinoplasty is planned. The open approach provides superior visualization of the septal anatomy, nasal tip, and dorsal structures when complex deformities require comprehensive reconstruction.
The Columellar Marking
The series of dashed markings on the columella in this patient designates the planned inverted-V or stair-step incision of the open rhinoplasty approach — designed to heal with minimal visible scarring at the columellar base. Dr. Karamanoukian's incision placement precisely follows the narrowest point of the columella, where the subsequent scar is least visible and where closure under the least possible tension produces the finest healed line.
Symptoms of a Deviated Septum
When a Deviated Septum Requires Surgical Correction
Nasal Obstruction
Persistent unilateral or bilateral nasal airway obstruction — the feeling that one or both nasal passages are chronically blocked or congested — that does not resolve with medical management (antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids, decongestants). The most common and definitive indication for septoplasty.
Mouth Breathing
Habitual mouth breathing during sleep or exercise due to inadequate nasal airway — producing dry mouth, sore throat, disrupted sleep, and poor sleep quality. Many patients are unaware they mouth-breathe until a partner or physician identifies it.
Snoring & Sleep Disruption
Nasal airway obstruction from a deviated septum is a contributing factor in snoring and sleep-disordered breathing in many patients. While septoplasty does not treat obstructive sleep apnea, it can significantly reduce the nasal resistance component that contributes to snoring.
Recurrent Sinusitis
A severely deviated septum that contacts the lateral nasal wall or inferior turbinate can obstruct the sinus drainage pathways — predisposing to recurrent acute sinusitis and chronic sinusitis that is refractory to antibiotic therapy. Septoplasty restores sinus drainage and reduces sinusitis frequency.
Recurrent Nosebleeds
Deviated septa create turbulent airflow and areas of mucosal desiccation at the point of maximum deviation — predisposing to epistaxis (nosebleeds) from chronic mucosal drying and crusting. Correction of the deviation normalizes airflow and reduces epistaxis frequency.
External Nasal Deformity
A deviated septum can manifest externally as a crooked or C-shaped nasal dorsum — visible nasal asymmetry caused by the deviated septum shifting the nasal tip and dorsum off the midline. When external deviation accompanies internal obstruction, septorhinoplasty corrects both simultaneously.
Septoplasty Procedures at Kare Plastic Surgery
Functional Septoplasty
Septoplasty repositions and reshapes the deviated nasal septum to restore a midline cartilaginous and bony partitionm, opening the obstructed nasal airway on the narrowed side. Dr. Karamanoukian performs septoplasty through an endonasal (no external scar) approach for isolated septal deviation without external nasal deformity.
Septorhinoplasty
When a deviated septum is accompanied by external nasal deformity with a crooked dorsum, asymmetric tip, nasal hump, or wide nasal base, Dr. Karamanoukian performs septorhinoplasty: simultaneous functional septoplasty and cosmetic rhinoplasty in a single operative session.
Turbinate Reduction
Inferior turbinate hypertrophy — enlargement of the inferior nasal turbinate on the opposite side of the deviation, as a compensatory response — is present in the majority of septoplasty patients and significantly contributes to nasal airway obstruction. Dr. Karamanoukian performs inferior turbinate reduction (submucosal resection or outfracture) simultaneously with septoplasty to address both contributors to nasal obstruction in a single operative session. Turbinate reduction alone without septoplasty produces incomplete functional improvement in patients with combined pathology.
Revision Septoplasty
Patients who have undergone prior septoplasty with incomplete correction, persistent obstruction, or post-operative saddle deformity require revision septoplasty — a technically more demanding procedure due to altered anatomy, scar tissue, and reduced cartilage availability. Dr. Karamanoukian performs revision septoplasty at Kare Plastic Surgery using autologous cartilage grafting (conchal cartilage, rib cartilage) to reconstruct the nasal septum and restore structural support and airway patency. Revision nasal surgery requires a surgeon with deep expertise in nasal anatomy and structural grafting.
Insurance and septoplasty: Functional septoplasty for medically documented nasal airway obstruction is typically covered by insurance — but requires pre-authorization, documentation of failed medical management, and nasal examination findings supporting the diagnosis. Dr. Karamanoukian's team at Kare Plastic Surgery assists patients with insurance pre-authorization and documentation for functional septoplasty. When cosmetic rhinoplasty is added, the cosmetic component is a patient expense separate from the covered functional procedure. Call (310) 998-5533 for insurance guidance.
"Functional airway obstruction can affect quality of life and impair your ability to function in strenuous exercise."
— Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian, MD FACS · Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon · Kare Plastic Surgery, Los Angeles
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a deviated septum and when does it need surgery?
A deviated septum is a lateral displacement of the nasal septum that obstructs one or both nasal passages. Surgery (septoplasty) is indicated when symptoms have not responded to medical management. Dr. Karamanoukian at Kare Plastic Surgery in Los Angeles performs septoplasty. Call (310) 998-5533.
Can septoplasty be combined with rhinoplasty in Los Angeles?
Septorhinoplasty or functional septoplasty combined with cosmetic rhinoplasty is performed in a single session at Kare Plastic Surgery by Dr. Karamanoukian. This avoids two separate surgeries and recoveries. The functional component is typically covered by insurance; the cosmetic component is a patient expense. Call (310) 998-5533.
How long is recovery after septoplasty?
Most patients return to desk work in 5–7 days. Nasal splints are removed within 1 week. Significant breathing improvement is typically noticeable within 2–4 weeks. Strenuous exercise is restricted for 3–4 weeks. When combined with rhinoplasty, a nasal cast is worn for 1 week. Final results are fully apparent at 6–12 months. Call (310) 998-5533.
Schedule Your Deviated Septum Consultation
Kare Plastic Surgery · Los Angeles & Santa Monica · 804 7th Street
Restore Your Nasal Airway with Dr. Karamanoukian
Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian, board-certified plastic surgeon at Kare Plastic Surgery, performs expert septoplasty and septorhinoplasty throughout Los Angeles — meticulous pre-operative marking, functional airway restoration, simultaneous cosmetic refinement, and individualized surgical planning for every patient. Same-week consultation appointments available.