6 months post-op & septum moves when I breathe, what's happening?

Question

I had a septoplasty around 6 months ago, and my septum moves A LOT when I exhale — so much so that it completely blocks my right nasal cavity. Also, whenever I sleep on my side, my septum will “flop”/“sag” into the nasal cavity of the side I’m sleeping on and will completely obstruct the airway. For reference, I had a septoplasty in which my septum was scored and trimmed and adjusted to the midline. I’m worried that too much was removed or that my septum is very weak now. What’s happening?

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

The septum should not move after septoplasty.  It seems you have lost mechanical support and you need to be examined intra-nasally to see what is going on.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

It sounds like there’s something loose that’s moving around. Only an internal nasal evaluation can determine the problem

Emrah Ceylan, MD · Answer

Hello. Get well soon, it seems like you have flapping septum. It will be better by one and a half year time with hardening of scar tissue.

6 months post-op & septum moves when I breathe, what's happening?

Answers (3)