How Can I Find out if I Developed a Septal Perforation Following Septoplasty?

Perforation is a well described but uncommon issue after septoplasty.  There are no good ways to tell on your own.  Is there a reason you are suspicious of having one?  Common symptoms include whistling, crusting and sometimes nose bleeds but I have see a few patients who have had perforations for years without knowing about them.  The best way to find out is to see your surgeon or anyone else who performs septoplasties or rhinoplasties.  They need to look directly with a strong light or may even use a scope to see.  

It is difficult to tell on your own without a proper headlight illumination and a nasal speculum.  Shining a light on a perforation is unreliable as patients with intact mucosa (NOT A PERFORATION) but who have had a septoplasty may see light shining through the nose from one end to the other.  Your best bet is to go to an experienced ENT who can examine your nose with either anterior rhinoscopy or an endoscope to determine if there is a perforation.   

Most patients do not have access to endoscopes, so a self examination of the nasal cavity can be difficult. The best thing to do is tell your surgeon that you are concerned about a septal perforation. An exam of the inside of your nose at the doctor's office is an easy and diagnostic way to determine if there is a hole or not. Thank you for sharing your question. Best wishes.