Clear Fluid Draining After Rhinoplasty. Is This Normal?

We are often asked if fluid draining form the nose after Rhinoplasty is 'brain fluid'. It is not. The nose discharges copious amounts of clear mucous after surgery and this is often confused with CSF. The causes are multiple: normal draining of the tear ducts, packing placement and removal, allergies, mucosal trauma, and reactive mucosal secretions. This is also dependent on the amount of work done internally. Septal surgery and turbinate cautery will contribute to the discharge. Initially, it will be reddish with blood mixed in and then change to a clear watery discharge. It usually subsides after a week and is more drippy in the first few days. Don't be worried about the color, character, or taste as they are not reliable indicators of any underlying problem. Remember, Rhinoplasty does not involve working on the skull base or the cribiform area where endoscopic sinus surgery occurs. Osteotomies are done on the nasal bones, which are well away for those areas. Don't worry- it will resolve.

You are seeing the change from bleeding to serous drainage. Tne swollen eyes will come down . Be patients. It unlikely anything bad is going such as a cerebral fluid leak from the cribriform plate

Please call your operative surgeon to answer these post operative questions. Drainage is the norm but to get the correct responses always as your chosen surgeon. 

Clear drainage after a rhinoplasty and septal repair can be a serious sign. The clear fluid can come from a tear in tissue high up at the base of the brain, called cerebral spinal fluid or CSF. Symptoms such as headache only when standing are common. The leaks repair themselves for most, though there is a danger of infection so you should contact your surgeon right away to sort things out.
Best of luck,
peterejohnsonmd

Blood drainage after nasal surgey is normal.  Clear drainage is a concern because it may represent a leakage of CSF fluid.  Although uncommon, it can occur after septoplasty.  This is something that your surgeon needs to know about right away.

You need to call your doctor as soon as possible. There are some questions that are better addressed by your own physician and not through the internet.

Yes, it's typical to see clear fluid draining from the nose during the first post op week following a Rhinoplasty.  the fluid is the nasal mucosa reacting to the surgical trauma.  This should decrease in the subsequent week or so.   As always, you should discuss your concerns  with your Rhinopplasty surgeon.

Clear drainage after a Rhinoplasty could be normal or a sign of a serious problem. You need to be seen immediately by your operating surgeon. Call now.