Post Septoplasty/Rhinoplasty - Doctor Didn't Use Splint: Can't Breath Out of Right Nostril

asked 1 year ago by Concerned Friend
Latest answer by Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Question viewed 463 times
Tags: nostrils, female, breathing, causes, splint

A friend of mine had Revision Functional Septo-Rhinoplasty surgery that took 5 hours. Her Doctor did not use splints. Now 4 weeks later she can not breath out of her right nostril and her left is not much better. What could be the problem?

6 answers to Post Septoplasty/Rhinoplasty - Doctor Didn't Use Splint: Can't Breath Out of Right Nostril

Nasal Splints after Rhinoplasty

Nasal splints are not used by all rhinoplasty surgeons ; some physicians use them all the time - I rarely use them. Your friend is having trouble breathing because of the temporary post-op intra-nasal swelling. This will resolve just as the external swelling that you see on the surface will decrease with time.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Can't breathe through nose after septorhinoplasty

Yikes, I've performed Rhinoplasty for over 20 years including very tough Revision cases and have never spent anywhere near 5 hours on a Rhinoplasty. I'd think the amount of swelling after such a long case would be a possible factor of why the airway, inside the nose, is swollen nearly closed. Time should make that better.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Can't breath.

I almost never use intranasal splints or packing. Unless something has become displaced this is probably still swelling. Saline sprays may be helpful but check with your doctor first.

Michael L. Schwartz, MD
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

www.palmbeachface.com

Unable to Breathe After Septorhinoplasty

Septoplasty surgery helps improve a deviated nasal septum, which may or may not be combined with rhinoplasty. Typically, nasal surgeons will place absorb able sutures inside the nose, which slowly dissolve over time. Sometimes sutures or internal silicone splints may need to be removed about one week following nasal surgery. In addition to internal sutures and splints, the nose produces more mucous and crust in the early postoperative period. Lastly, mucosa swelling contributes to nasal... more

Houtan Chaboki, MD
Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon

No septal splint

Dear Concerned friend, As Dr. Johnson stated the edema(or swelling) of tissue occurs both inside and outside of the nose. The use of a septal splint isn't a dogma and some surgeons do not use it at all or replace the splint with absorbable sutures. The edema in the nasal passages can last a significant time but does subside eventually. I usually suggest the use of saline sprays (NOT Sudafed or medicated sprays) to alleviate the sensation of “stuffiness... more

Ernesto Hayn, MD
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

Internal nasal swelling after rhinoplasty

Swelling does not occur on the outside of the nose only, the lining tissue will also swell, and typically the airway is restricted or congested for several weeks after rhinoplasty. Splints and packing do control swelling, though most of us have trended away as patients are uncomfortable. The airway and breathing is excellent until the packing and split is removed, and then the expected swelling will set in and the airway feels as if the packing was never in place. Tell your friend that the... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

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