Bump on septum - is it safe to pierce? (Photos)

Question

I had a rhino- and septoplasty 2023. Since it healed I've always had a bump on my septum and it hasn't bothered me until now because I want a septum piercing. What is the bump and imcan i pierce around it as the piercing is meant to go through the alar cartilage.

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

Do not pierce this area until a nasal surgeon has examined it. In the close-up photos, there is a localized internal prominence near the caudal septal/columellar region, but an image cannot distinguish scar tissue, a cartilage edge, a graft, retained suture reaction, or another postoperative change. A standard septum piercing is usually placed through a thin soft-tissue “sweet spot,” not through the septal or alar cartilage. After septorhinoplasty, that space may contain scar tissue or surgically repositioned cartilage, and its location can be altered. Piercing through cartilage, a graft, or dense scar can increase the risks of infection, prolonged healing, septal hematoma, cartilage damage, distortion, and compromise of nasal support. Return to your operating surgeon or an ENT/facial plastic surgeon for palpation and an internal examination. If the anatomy is healthy and a safe soft-tissue corridor remains, the surgeon can identify or mark it for an experienced professional piercer; if not, the piercing should be avoided. Redness, tenderness, drainage, crusting, enlargement, bleeding, or obstruction around the bump should be evaluated before any piercing even if it has been present for years.

Selcuk Inanli, MD · Answer

Hello! Thank you for your question.
As far as I can understand from your question do not let a piercer force a needle through hard tissue or a surgical graft. I highly recommend having your ENT or a facial plastic surgeon take a quick look to identify the bump and confirm if your "sweet spot" is safe to pierce.
Best Regards!

Kyle Kimura, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos. 
In general, I do not like septal piercings after a rhinoplasty. A piercing will typically go in between the cartilages of the septum and medial crura where it is mostly just skin. When performing a rhinoplasty, this space will often close or narrow. You typically do not want to put a piercing through the cartilage as this could lead to erosion and possibly increase the chance of a septal perforation which can cause a number of additional issues.

Ozan Erol, MD · Answer

This protrusion may be related to the non-absorbable sutures used. If that is the case, the suture can be removed. Alternatively, this type of granulation tissue may sometimes be seen along incision lines. However, this does not prevent you from wearing the piercing.best

Bump on septum - is it safe to pierce? (Photos)

Answers (4)

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