A deviated nasal septum means that the central cartilage and bone inside your nose is moved or shifted to one side or the other. This can happen naturally (congenitally) or as a result of trauma. The symptoms of a significantly deviated nasal septum are usually nasal obstruction, irritation, pain and bleeding. If the septum is severely deviated, then these symptoms can be miserable. If minor, then nothing may need to be done. The correction for a deviated nasal septum is called a septoplasty and may be performed as an isolated procedure or if necessary with other functional procedures such as turbinate reduction. When a patient desires aesthetic changes to the nose, a septoplasty may be combined with a cosmetic rhinoplasty.