What do I do when my septoplasty failed?

Question

I got a septoplasty back in June. Doctors said it was successful and that I should be able to breath normally. It went well weeks post-op but then I got what I thought was a cold. And I haven’t been breathing normally since. I noticed my left nostril was smaller than my right. And now looking it at it is completely blocked by the septum. So my septoplasty not only failed but also made it worse. I REALLY would rather not go through the surgery again, especially after it failed. What do I do?

Caner Kacmaz, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your answer. In rare cases, septoplasty might be unsuccessful. The best recommendation I would give you would be to be seen by an ENT doctor. He can examine you thoroughly and determine if there's an obstruction or just simply a swelling from your surgery that hasn't subsided yet. Hopefully, you won't be needing another surgery. Good luck.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

An intranasal exam  by an ent should show the cause of obstruction. You may have enlarged turbinates inside the nose which can be reduced with steroid injections or surgically. Very common

Joseph Shvidler, MD · Answer

I am sorry to hear that you had an undesired outcome from your surgery. Deviated septum can re-occur in small number of cases. It is rare that this happens right away but may necessitate a revision septoplasty. Also your entire nasal structure may need to be assessed for weak points. if the septum has lost its structural integrity it may need to be rebuild and a more involved procedure may be needed. In addition you may have other areas of obstruction such as weakened nasal valve or turbinate enlargement that may also needs to be addressed

What do I do when my septoplasty failed?

Answers (3)