What are the usual side effect of the nasal septal deviation surgery?

Question

I have chronic maxillary sinustitis but alway affacts on my left side, left facial pain and left ear blockage. The CT scan shows left nasal septal deviation. Can you tell what is the side effect of the nasal septal deviation surgery usually?

Edward J. Gross, MD · Answer

After surgery you can expect normal side effects such as temporary nasal swelling, drainage, and nasal blockage.  These side effects last approximately 7-10 days and during that time I recommend a saline solution to help.I do want to exaggerate that these are normal temporary side effects and these are not complications from the surgery.

Todd C. Miller, MD · Answer

Most patient experience a temporary increase in congestion and swelling following repair of a deviated nasal septum that can last between 1 and 2 weeks. This is typically followed by improvement in breathing as the swelling resolves.

Robert Kotler, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear Compiler;
It sounds like you certainly need some help. If you have continued sinus infections on the
left side plus left facial pain and left ear blockage, that highly suggests you may have a deviated septum responsible for all those
problems.This appeared to be confirmed
on your CT scan.
A nasal septoplasty is an excellent procedure.Typically, I like to add in trimming of the
turbinates if they are enlarged, because turbinates also contribute to nasal
blockage in a fair percentage of people, particularly
those with allergies.Trimming the
turbinates acts as somewhat of an "insurance policy" to literally
guarantee the success of the procedure.You see, sometimes it's hard to get the septum perfectly straight. If it's still crooked towards the
original side, you might not have the same benefit. But if the turbinates are
trimmed on that side, you will have the benefit of a larger
airway, even though the septal straightening may be imperfect. Check with the surgeon you see about that.
Regarding the chance of complications or
side-effects following nasal septoplasty, they are fortunately very rare. In a small percentage of patients -- and I
emphasize the word small, thinking miniscule is a better word -- a chance of imperfect healing exists which would leave a small hole or
"perforation" in the septum. The perforation
is harmless unless it causes whistling, crusting and bleeding. Generally, you will know if a
perforation exists a month or two after surgery on one of the routine
exams. For many people, it is inconsequential,
and even if you have the symptoms mentioned above, it is not hard to close off using a small collarbone-type device. Apart from that, not much can really go wrong. How quickly one heals depends on the
technique and what else is done in surgery. I don't know if you are considering rhinoplasty at the same time. But
in any event, nasal septoplasty is one of the most efficient, successful, and
low-complication operations in the entire world of surgery. Hundreds of thousands are done every
year in the United States alone.
One final thing, a message from our sponsor: any surgery
including nasal septoplasty has some possibility of causing some congestion and
some degree of blockage in the first several days after surgery. Generally, this is not very popular with
patients. Therefore, I recommend you ask your surgeon to install the Kotler
Nasal Airway&trade; (KNA) after surgery. I am not trying to toot my own horn, but all my
nasal surgery patients have a KNA and are ecstatic about their
excellent breathing from the minute they awaken in the recovery room. I invented the KNA to avoid the unpleasantness of
a stuffy nose, mouth-breathing, dry mouth and, for some people, a claustrophobic sense that accompanies the swelling, blood or mucus that can
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End of commercial.
Do some homework. Check out my website. It's rich
in information about that procedure. Check out other doctors' websites. Read books. Learn as much as you
can. Be prepared. At the consultation, take notes. Bring a friend or relative with you to get the
best possible retention of information.
Best wishes,
Robert
Kotler, MD, FACS

Over
4,500 nasal procedures performed

Author,
SECRETS OF A BEVERLY HILLS COSMETIC
SURGEON

Author,
THE ESSENTIAL COSMETIC SURGERY COMPANION

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Septoplasty is performed for a deviated nasal septum to improve air flow through the nose.  Endoscopic sinus surgery is performed to remove polyps blocking drainage of the sinus cavities and prevent sinusitis.  These are 2 completely separate operations. For more information please see  the  link below

Donald Nunn, MD (retired) · Answer

Hopefully you will not have any side effects other than being able to breath better through the blocked side and no more sinus issues.   Complications can occur with any surgery such as bleeding, infection, and there is the rare possibilty of nasal septal perforation and persistent nasal breathing problem.  Good luck.  Donald R. Nunn   Atlanta Plastic Surgeon.

Michael Elam, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear Compliler, The side effects of having a septoplasty and fixing the deviated septum is better breathing. In most cases the deviated septum and the turbinates are addressed to provide good function after surgery. A direct examination will determine the degree of deviation and what needs to be done to provide proper function and aesthetics. best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.

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