Runny nose after rhinoplasty - Could the surgery have caused this issue?

Question

I am 13 months post rhinoplasty that involved straightening my septum and reducing the size of my nose. I never had any sinus or other nasal issues pre surgery. Since the rhinoplasty I have had a near constant runny nose with discharge that has some blood mixed in. I also have clumps of mucus break free from deep in my nasal area. My surgeon was an ent/facial plastics. I saw another medical ent who thinks I have sinusitis and gave me some sprays that didn't help. Could the surgery have caused this issue?

Metin Kerem, MD · Answer

Runny nose a year post-op is not considered normal. The situation may / may not be related to your operation, and needs to be investigated. A physical&endoscopic examination should be conducted to see if there is any anatomic blockage (deviation, turbinate hypertrophy, synechia, polyps etc), and you should also need to be evaluated for any chronic sinusitis. You'd better refer to your surgeon.

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

Drainage from the nose after a rhinoplasty is most likely due to residual mucosal inflammation.  As it resolves drainage may occur. However, for this to persists for 1 year after is unusual.  There may be chronic sinusitis from the maxillary sinuses, and some imaging may help elucidate this.  There may be a synechia or some form of mucosal scarring that entraps drainage.  A rare cause is a CSF leak and this can be elucidated by evaluating the drainage itself. You need an internal exam of your nasal passages and some imaging to understand the issue better.

Sarah Saxon, MD · Answer

It would be impossible to really know what is going on without a full evaluation and looking inside your nose. There are numerous causes of a runny nose, so there could be other sprays that work more than the ones you already tried. Rhinoplasty only fixes the structural issues with breathing and doesn't address any allergies or irritants in the air. I sometimes see more drying after surgery since more air is getting in, and I recommend AYR gel with aloe in that case. With some bloody mucous coming out that's definitely part of the issue. 
Even if you never had allergies before, every environment and year is different. If you moved to a new city or if that year was particularly rainy you could have more mold or weeds. There is also a type of runny nose called nonallergic rhinitis that has nothing to do with pollen or allergies.
As you can see there are many variables, so any advice is clearly speculative without a full history and physical exam. 
Best of luck to you,
Sarah Saxon, MD

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

If you only had a cosmetic Rhinoplasty,  there should be no reason for the runny nose.  If your surgeon did a functional surgery involving the septum and or turbinates, you may need a revision.   I would advise you to see your surgeon for a follow up visit.

Runny nose after rhinoplasty - Could the surgery have caused this issue?

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Answer: 13 Months post Rhinoplasty and Runny Nose

Answer: 13 Months post Rhinoplasty and Runny Nose

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Runny nose after rhinoplasty - Could the surgery have caused this issue?

Answers (4)

Answer: 13 Months post Rhinoplasty and Runny Nose

Answer: 13 Months post Rhinoplasty and Runny Nose

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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