85% of the population has some deviation of the septum but that does not automatically mean that 85% of population needs septoplasty. Septoplasty puts the septum back into the midline, or straightens the curvature of the septum to allow air to move freely for respiration. If your breathing is good, you don't need septoplasty.

Septal cartilage is often removed to perform cosmetic changes of the nose--called rhinoplasty.

I hope this has been helpful.

Robert D. Wilcox, MD

Robert D. Wilcox