After Septoplasty Surgery Can the Nasal Splints Be Left in Permanently?

Question

Army performed septoplasty surgery in 1985. I can breathe fine, but cannot blow my nose very well. When I use twizzers to clean out my nose, I seem to catch on something hard in both nostrils and it can bleed pretty bad. It sounds like hard plastic and not bone. The only thing I can think it is, are the splints.

Thomas A. Lamperti, MD · Answer

While it's not typical to leave nasal splints in the nose permanently, it sounds like something isn't quite right with your nose. A thorough examination with an otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose Throat) should help you figure out what exactly is going on.

Ivan Wayne, MD · Answer

It would be unlikely that splints have been left in for 25 years. At any rate it sounds like you are having a problem, you might want to have an Otolaryngologist look in your nose to see what is causing your complaints.

	Hope this was helpful.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD (retired) · Answer

No, the splints would eventually erode into the septal mucosa causing an infection and possible septal perforation.

After Septoplasty Surgery Can the Nasal Splints Be Left in Permanently?

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After Septoplasty Surgery Can the Nasal Splints Be Left in Permanently?

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