Can you have surgery for a stuffy nose?

A stuffy nose can be addressed during nasal surgery. The important thing for the surgeon and patient to investigate preoperatively is the etiology for the stuffiness. If there is a structural reason for the stuffiness, meaning something physically blocking the normal flow of air, that can usually be surgically addressed during the surgery. Two common examples of structural blockages include: a deviated septum and/or enlarged turbinates.

If the stuffiness comes and goes, it’s more likely to have a non-structural cause. In these patients, medical treatment (rather than surgery) is usually advised. Examples of these types of causes of stuffiness include: allergies, viral illnesses, etc.