Is it time to get a septoplasty?

Question

Hello...I don't have the best health record due to my constant battle with my sinus. It seems every year for the past 5 years now I've been having at least sinus infections 3-4 times a year. To make it worse I also get bad ear infections due to the mucus build up. I have seen my ENT doctor and he had several X-rays of my deviated septum which led him to advise that I should surgically get this fixed. Since I have a chronic sinus problem, would it be a good time to get a septoplasty?

Afshin Parhiscar, MD · Answer

Dear frankieWhen patients have as many as 3-4 sinus infections a year, they generally benefit from surgical intervention. The surgery is geared towards helping the sinuses drain better and therefore reduce the frequency and incidence of infections. This is done by septoplasty if needed with endoscopic sinus surgery and possibly turbinate surgery as dictated by your anatomy. Look for an experienced and properly trained surgeon certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology. See more than one consult. Make a well informed decsion.

Jeremy B. White, MD · Answer

Septoplasty is often helpful to allow good access into the sinuses and easier outflow from a congested nose. This is something that you should discuss with your surgeon prior to surgery.

John B. Lazor, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

I would suggest you have a CT scan of the sinuses if you have not already had one.  Please review it with your surgeon.  If there is an indication for endoscopic sinus surgery, it would make sense to have this performed at the time of your septoplasty surgery.

Richard Chaffoo, MD, FACS, FICS · Answer

Hi and thanks for your question. The ultimate decision to undergo surgery must be made between you and your surgeon based upon your history and the surgeon's examination. It isn't really possible to give medical advice on the web for such a complicated problem. My best advice is to listen to your surgeon who knows you better than the rest of us. Best of luck!

Myriam Loyo, MD · Answer

Hi Frankie,It sounds like your main complain is sinus infections. If that is the case, a septoplasty and possibly sinus surgery can help reduce the frequency of your sinus infections. Ask your surgeon about sinus surgery and consider seeing a surgeon with experience in sinus surgery.Septoplasty and rhinoplasty can help with nasal obstruction and sometimes is needed in conjunction with sinus surgery. But if your main complain is sinus infections, look for a sinus specialist.Hope this helps!

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Chronic sinusitis is caused by polyps located inside the sinus cavities that block drainage, and therefore  get infected. Allergies are usually the culprit of creating nasal and sinus polyps. Endoscopic sinus surgery is required to clear up the infection and remove the polyps. A CAT scan of the paranasal sinuses is required to document the extent of chronic sinusitis and polyps present before any surgical intervention. A septoplasty is performed  when there is a deviated septum present blocking air flow through the nose. This will not change the shape of the nose, only improve your flow dynamics, once medical necessity has been documented at the time of examination. Functional breathing surgery and endoscopic sinus surgery can be both performed at the same time, but only if needed and documented the time of the  CAT scan and consultation/ examination. For more information about both procedures, please see the link and the video below

Is it time to get a septoplasty?

Answers (6)

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