Nasal Sutures to Straighten Septum?

Question

Nasal sept straight but deviated to left. Primary rhino doc used closed approach and spreader graft along with a mattress suture. Looking to revision as deviation wasn't adequately addressed. My questions are (1) is suture just a piece of thread and (2) if an off-set suture is used to tie the setpum and upper lateral cartilage together is that something that will hold over time, and is that suture permanent (i.e. will not dissolve?). Is that the only thing holding them together?

Thomas A. Lamperti, MD · Answer

The sutures used during septoplasty and spreader graft placement are usually dissolveable. The tissues normally heal together thanks to scar fibrosis so the sutures wouldn't be needed long term.

	To get a better idea of your options you should visit with a revision nose surgery expert.

	To learn more about septum surgery you can check out my web reference link below.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Most surgeons use a type of suture that are dissolvable inside the nose, and usually take 4-6 months to dissolve. Permanent sutures tend to get infected and create stitch abscesses. Without pictures, examination, and consultation is impossible to give any advice regarding your nose, since revision rhinoplasty is extremely complicated. Best to seek out an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon to obtain optimal results.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Sutures placed during rhinoplasty for the most part or dissolvable over a long period of time. Each surgeon is a bit different.

Tae Ho Kim, MD · Answer

First, rhinoplasty is difficult to do well consistently.  Revision rhinoplasty is more difficult because of the altered anatomy, especially if your septal cartilage was removed for the deviated septum and used as a spreader graft.

	The question is, are you happy with the aesthetic shape of the nose and bothered by the residual deviated septum (did he do a septoplasty?) or are you bothered by the shape of your nose and the deviated septum as well.

	If I were you, I would get a second opinion by a plastic surgeon, who has experience with primary and secondary (revision) rhinoplasty.  I always perform an open rhinoplasty to be able to control all of the factors involved in shaping the nose.   In my opinion, a closed rhinoplasty technique often leads to inadequate correction.  Good luck.

Michael R. Menachof, MD · Answer

Yes, sutures are a essentially a piece of thread, and no, permanent sutures do not hold things permanently. If you use sutures alone to try and straighten a deviated septum you will almost always be disappointed. In order to get a straight septum you need to straighten the bone and cartilage. Sutures are sometimes used to secure a portion of the septum once it has been straightened but will not cause any long term straightening by itself.

Nasal Sutures to Straighten Septum?

Answers (5)