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?

Answers (3)