Deviated septum, septoplasty. Does cocaine use cause a deviated septum?

Question

Does cocaine use cause a deviated septum? I have done a septoplasty and part of me is worried that I may have done damage to my septum to the point that I needed surgery. I may be wrong and it may have been congenital and my septum was doomed in the first place. I did not mention to my ent doc that I used. Would they let me know the cause was drugs if I did not say anything? Do repeated sinus infections cause permanent breathing issues later on/ does a deviated septum get worse as one ages?

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

Cocaine use likely will not cause your septum to deviate. However, it does result in alot of inflammation, scarring and sometimes a hole between the two nostrils. If you are planning to undergo nasal surgery you must abstain from cocaine use and definitely inform your surgeon of past cocaine use. This shouldn't stop you from undergoing surgery but it is important for your surgeon to know that your nasal septum likely has been damaged and will require additional care during and after surgery. I hope this information is helpful for you.Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

Manish H. Shah, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello ara2189,Thanks for your question.Most people with a deviated septum who have not had nasal trauma were born with the deviation.Cocaine use decreases blood supply to septal tissue, thinning it out and ultimately weakening it.  Chronic nasal cocaine users literally burn a hole into their septum known as a septal perforation.  A perforated septum can lose support and twist.  You can also get a saddle nose deformity from cocaine use and subsequent septoplasty surgery.  They may not have mentioned drugs as a cause without the perforation.Repeated sinus infections only damage the sinuses, and a septal deviation can enhance the chances of having sinus infections.A deviated septum won't worsen much with age, but a septum may deviate again with time after septoplasty surgery due to cartilage memory.Hope this helps,Dr. Shah

Deviated septum, septoplasty. Does cocaine use cause a deviated septum?

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Deviated septum, septoplasty. Does cocaine use cause a deviated septum?

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