Septoplasty and turbinate reduction without packing or splints?

Question

Hi I am 52 and ready to go through Septoplasty, Turbinate reduction, Ethmoidectomy, and Maxillary Antrostomy with tissue removal. No packing or splints will be used and this is bilateral. Im so congested now before surgery with 2 obstructions. Will I have even a little air flow through my nose right after surgery? The next day? I can deal with pain and congestion. I just need a little air flow. Thank you.

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

We do not use nasal packing routinely for the last 25 years either. The rate limiting factor for your ability to breathe is the type of turbinate reduction that you will undergo. Carbonates are extremely large, we resect a portion. These patients breathe better immediately. When we perform submucosal electroducation, the Turbinates can initially swell and it may take over a month to realize significantly improve breathing. Wishing you well moving forward. Sincerely, Dr Joseph

Thomas Spalla, MD · Answer

I have performed hundreds of these surgeries, and from my experience, the most common complaint after surgery is congestion, not pain.
My patients who have suffered from tremendous congestion before surgery, as it sounds like you do, tolerate post-operative congestion much better, because it doesn't vary tremendously from their baseline.
It's unusual to have a complete obstruction/blockage of airflow through your nose post-operatively.
Discuss this with your surgeon and follow their recommendations to keep the nose more patent postoperatively. This often involves saline sprays/rinses, but follow whatever your surgeon recommends, and don't just blindly follow online advice as you are an individual with unique needs and concerns. Your indications, findings during surgery, and recovery are unique to you, and your surgeon is the best person to guide you in your recovery.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

You will be congested after these procedures for 10 to 14 days. In our practice, we place a couple of steroid shots in the turbinates during the surgery so that you could still get some of airflow through your nose in the postoperative period.

Septoplasty and turbinate reduction without packing or splints?

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Septoplasty and turbinate reduction without packing or splints?

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Everything you need to know about Septoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.