I Have a Septal Perforation Due a Septoplasty, my Nose Continues to Clot and Dry Up, Will This Continue Until I Get It Repaired?

Question

I recently had a septoplasty about a month ago. My nose was very dry and extremely clotted, the doctor removed these clots about 4 times since my surgery but I guess I have developed a septal perforation because of the surgery. My nose continues to clot severely and it is very very dry, I know that the perforation was developed due to removing the clots, I could feel it ripping away at my septum, but I am just wondering if my nose will stop clotting and moisten up, thanks

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Hello, getting it repaired might alleviate some symptoms.Septal perforation repair is one of the most difficult procedures to perform. 
I developed a procedure to repair large septal perforations utilizing a pericranial flap.  The use of this flap can help close larger perforations.  Here are some methods of closure of septal perforation based on size:
-Small (pinpoint)- not advised to fix small perforations, especially asymptomatic perforations that are stable.  These should be observed.  The risk of the procedure of increasing size after repair
-Medium perforations- The use of a variety of techniques can be employed such as sliding flaps (can only repair perforations reliably at 1.5 cm), turbinate flaps (smaller perforations), and endoscopic rotational flaps (less than 1.5 cm) can be utilized.
-Large perforations- The use of pericranial flaps (see above) and free flaps (requires ICU stay) are the only 2 options.  I have had great success utilizing pericranial technique (see video below) to repair septal perforations.

Best, 
Anil Shah MD

William D. Losquadro, MD · Answer

Dryness and crusting are common with septal perforations because normal nasal airflow becomes turbulent; bleeding and whistling are also common symptoms. It is extremely important to keep the perforation clean since repeated picking of crusts can cause the perforation to slowly enlarge.  Larger perforations are more difficult to close and can lead to loss of nasal support and collapse.  Keeping the perforation clean is best done with nasal saline irrigation at least twice daily.  Symptomatic perforations can be closed.

Donald B. Yoo, MD, FACS · Answer

An important part of the recovery process after septoplasty are nasal saline irrigations - to prevent the dryness and crusting that you are describing.  Now that you have a septal perforation, it's even more important to keep your nose irrigated and moist (with Aquophor or saline gel) to allow the lining of your nose to heal.

I Have a Septal Perforation Due a Septoplasty, my Nose Continues to Clot and Dry Up, Will This Continue Until I Get It Repaired?

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I Have a Septal Perforation Due a Septoplasty, my Nose Continues to Clot and Dry Up, Will This Continue Until I Get It Repaired?

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Everything you need to know about Septoplasty

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