Is Deviated Septum Surgery Painful? How to Manage Pain After Septoplasty Surgery

One of the concerns people have when deciding whether or not to do deviated septum surgery is the amount of pain after septoplasty.

In this guide we discuss what past patients have said about deviated septum surgery pain, and we also provide you with an extensive list of tips to manage the pain to a minimum, should you choose to have the surgery.

Is Deviated Septum Surgery Painful? What Patients Say?

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Research suggests that most patients experience low levels of pain for 2-3 days after deviated septum surgery. Only a few patients experience severe pain for a longer duration. However, such conditions can be managed with analgesics (pain killers).¹Sclafani AP, Kim M, Kjaer K, Kacker A, Tabaee A. Postoperative pain and analgesic requirements after septoplasty and rhinoplasty. The Laryngoscope. 2019 Sep;129(9):2020-5.

The postoperative pain depends on several factors such as premedication given, duration of the procedure, type of procedure performed, the effectiveness of general anesthesia used, and patient’s sensitivity to pain. Research suggests that people undergoing septoplasty experience less pain when compared to people undergoing complex septorhinoplasty procedure.²Szychta, P., & Antoszewski, B. (2010). Assessment of early post-operative pain following septorhinoplasty. The Journal of Laryngology & Otology, 124(11), 1194–1199.

Researchers reported a correlation between anxiety before the surgery with post-operative pain. While some found that people with increased anxiety experience greater postoperative pain, others rejected these claims.

Also, it was found that elderly patients perceive less pain and have a lower requirement for post-surgery painkillers. Some researchers have reported difference in pain perception among men and women, with women reporting negative response to pain than men.³Ocalan R, Akin C, Disli ZK, Kilinc T, Ozlugedik S. Preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain in patients undergoing septoplasty. B-ent. 2015 Jan 1;11(1):19-23.

Pain After Septoplasty: Tips to Speed Up Recovery & Minimize Pain

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In this section we provide proven tips for reducing the pain you feel after deviated septum surgery and speeding up your recovery:⁴Ishii LE, O’Connor SS, Strike DJ, Walsh SA. Plain Language Summary: Improving Nasal Form and Function after Rhinoplasty. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. 2017 Feb;156(2):220-7.⁵Simpson JC. Postoperative Care of The Patient After Nasal Surgery

Take medicines, both painkillers, and antibiotics as recommended by the doctor.
Apply cold pack or ice on the operated site for 2-3 days (intermittently for 20 minutes) to reduce the swelling.
Sleep in an elevated head position by keeping 2-3 pillows underneath the head.
Keep the nose moist and scab free using a cotton swab or Q- tips with antibiotic ointment or hydrogen peroxide.
Use saline irrigation or humidifiers twice daily for three weeks post-surgery (after the removal of splint). It helps to keep the nose moist and clean.
Use decongestant nasal spray only for the initial 3-5 days after the surgery. Avoid prolonged use of decongestant to reduce the risk of poor healing.
Avoid hard blowing of nose and sneezing with mouth closed.
Avoid performing vigorous exercises, sports, physically straining work for a minimum of 2 weeks post-surgery.
Avoid smoking, drinking, visiting crowded places, flights, and wearing glasses for a week.
Visit the doctor regularly as advised.

Sources:

1
Sclafani AP, Kim M, Kjaer K, Kacker A, Tabaee A. Postoperative pain and analgesic requirements after septoplasty and rhinoplasty. The Laryngoscope. 2019 Sep;129(9):2020-5.
2
Szychta, P., & Antoszewski, B. (2010). Assessment of early post-operative pain following septorhinoplasty. The Journal of Laryngology & Otology, 124(11), 1194–1199.
3
Ocalan R, Akin C, Disli ZK, Kilinc T, Ozlugedik S. Preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain in patients undergoing septoplasty. B-ent. 2015 Jan 1;11(1):19-23.
4
Ishii LE, O’Connor SS, Strike DJ, Walsh SA. Plain Language Summary: Improving Nasal Form and Function after Rhinoplasty. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. 2017 Feb;156(2):220-7.
5
Simpson JC. Postoperative Care of The Patient After Nasal Surgery