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Chances of Septum Deviation Due to Memory?

After breaking my nose at 4, I've had a 4-hour open Septo-Rhinoplasty only 3 days ago at the age of 27. I still have the cast on. I have to admit, even at this early stage, my nose looks so straight with the cast on it and my breathing has gone ABSOLUTELY amazing. The surgeon said it went really well. What are the chances of the septum deviating due to memory?

Doctor Answers 5

Depends on the procedure

April 1st, 2009
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I also had a 3 hour open septoplasty (no rhinoplasty) 8 weeks ago today. The resulthas been great. The chance of your cartilage warping and re-obstructing would depend on what was done. In my case most of the cartilage was removed leaving only an "L strut" to support the dorsum and columella. A columellar strut graft was also placed for further support. I also had spreader grafts and the small remaining piece of cartilage was replaced between the leaves of septal mucosa to minimize baffling on inspiration.

Sometimes, the septum is retained and repositioned and I would think this might have a higher chance of warping but you should ask your surgeon for the details of your surgery. Good luck and happy breathing!

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Shifting in the 5% range

June 26th, 2009
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The septum can shift through memory in the first few months after nasal surgery. The chance of it shifting is probably in the 5% range. This really depends upon what the septum looked like preoperatively, as well as the techniques used to straighten it.

Web reference: http://www.seattlefacial.com

William Portuese, MD

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.7 out of 5 stars 125 reviews

Probably will not redeviate.

April 1st, 2009
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 The chances are small but some noses will re-deviate but only slightly if at all. It sounds like your surgeon did a good job, so relax and don't worry.

 

Toby Mayer, MD

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 32 reviews

Not likely for nasal cartilage to warp too much

April 1st, 2009
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It is well known that cartilage does indeed have a tendency to warp. We routinely do a host of maneuvers to minimize this risk: strut grafts, battens, fixation the septum to the nasal spine, etc.

In most cases, any warping that occurs is thus minimized. Your nose is not going to end up perfectly: this never occurs. But, it is likely to heal well and you should be satisfied.

Occasionally, however, despite ones best efforts, the cartilage will warp some. This is very frustrating to the patient and the surgeon. It can occur in days, months, or even years after surgery. Fortunately, even in these cases, experienced surgeons can correct this with a revision procedure, more often than not.

Patrick J. Byrne, MD, FACS

Patrick J. Byrne, MD, FACS
Baltimore Facial Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 17 reviews

Septal resection should not reccur

April 1st, 2009
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It depends on the technique used in the septoplasty. Most commonly a septal resection is used which removes the deviated portion of the cartilage. This way the deviated septum should not reccur. Scorring of the cartilage has less effect and might reccur but it is also used in milder cases.

Web reference: http://newportplastic.com/rhinoplasty/

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD, FACS

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD, FACS
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 19 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.