Had a pretty bad trauma to the back, bony part of the septum in youth that caused a fracture that partially fused to the lateral nasal wall on the upper left. Had a septoplasty years later, but continue to have symptoms and there appears to be and adhesion between the posterior middle turbinate and nasal wall. Meaning they are connected by scarring. There is some kind of long-term desiccated material up there that is not easily visible that I am unable to clear along with excessive amounts of mucus postnasally. Have had a couple of “events“ of spontaneous clearance of the material that are actually audible and unsettling, and it is clear after some time that it was real because can feel the difference. This issue is compounded by a difficult adult tonsillectomy on the left side, leaving some Lasting muscle discoordination, making clearance even more difficult. There is also a bony protrusion coming off the left nasal wall, just below the back of the middle turbinate like we are remnant of the surgery. I don’t know if it has any relevance to the problem. If possible will include two pictures showing the area. Can anything be done to open up this area between the back of the middle turbinate and lateral nasal wall, which seems to be fused together and clear out whatever material is there and help promote further drainage? Any info or opinions would be appreciated
2 photos
Answers (2)
From board-certified doctors and trusted medical professionals
MOST RECENT
July 7, 2025
Answer: Can Scarring Behind the Middle Turbinate Be Surgically Released to Improve Drainage?
Your tip is slightly widened and you would benefit from a tip plasty. The medial and lateral cruras are pulled closer to the midline to refine the tip. You also have slight concavity of the dorsum. This can be improved at the same time, if desired.
Best Wishes,
Gary Horndeski, M.D.
You would benefit from a rhinoplasty and septoplasty. The septum can be straightened and the bony abnormality can be removed as well. You would also benefit from tip refinement and change the nasal columella angle.
Best Wishes,
Gary Horndeski, M.D.
Hello and thank you for your question -- a very good question at that ☝️
The short answer is that carefully placed spreader grafts (to stent open your internal nasal valves) when combined with careful osteotomies to narrow the nasal bones will not widen your nose.
The long answer is as fol...