Is it safe to do a posterior septectomy (posterior nasal septum resection) and to keep 1 cm of the septum anteriorly?

Question

Hello, I've done a rhinoplasty two years ago but still have a trouble with breathing. My ENT said that the problem is that my nasal septum is very thick (1,3 cm) and suggests that he can do a posterior septectomy (resection of the posterior part of the nasal septum and keeping only 1 cm anteriorly).

Samuel Lin, MD, FACS · Answer

Yes, in certain cases where the airflow travels there may be still narrrowing or obstruction further back in the nose... it is key to have a good examination by your rhinoplasty expert

William Portuese, MD · Answer

It's impossible to give any opinion without an examination of the interior portion of the nose. There are many issues on the inside of the nose that can cause breathing difficulties such as allergies, chronic sinusitis, deviated septum, turbinate hypertrophy,  valve collapse and vestibular stenosis.

Is it safe to do a posterior septectomy (posterior nasal septum resection) and to keep 1 cm of the septum anteriorly?

Answers (2)