Deviated Septum Surgery

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Septoplasty Complications: Risk Associated with Deviated Septum Surgery

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Septoplasty Complications

As with any surgical procedure, there are potential septoplasty complications and risks associated with deviated septum surgery.

In this article we look at the studies that examine the risks and complications, and we also answer a few frequently asked questions related to potential side effects of deviated septum surgery.

Septoplasty Complications: Evidence from Studies

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In this section, we describe the complications and risks associated with septoplasty that have been found in scientific studies: 1Ketcham, A. S., & Han, J. K. (2010). Complications and Management of Septoplasty. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America, 43(4), 897–904. 2Bloom, J. D., Kaplan, S. E., Bleier, B. S., & Goldstein, S. A. (2009). Septoplasty Complications: Avoidance and Management. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America, 42(3), 463–481.

  • Bleeding: Due to the high blood supply in the inner skin of the nose, increased bleeding can be observed either during or after the septoplasty procedure. Excessive bleeding after the surgery is reported in 6-13% of patients.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid leak: After septoplasty, in rare instances, the patient may experience watery brain fluid discharge through the nose and sinuses, also known as a cerebrospinal fluid leak. This may be accompanied with headaches.
  • Infections: The rate of infection after septoplasty ranges from 0.4%-12.0%. The rate remains unchanged even after use of antibiotics.
  • Nasal septum perforation: Lack of blood supply at the treated site may result in perforation in the septum. The rate of nasal perforation after septoplasty ranges from 1.6%-6.7%.
  • Nasal deformity post-surgery: After septoplasty, an overall change in the appearance of the nose is observed in 0.4%-3.4% cases. The most common post-surgery deformities are saddle nose deformity (loss of nasal height) and supra tip depression (depression seen above the tip of the nose).
  • Septal hematoma: Swelling due to accumulation of blood in the septum after septoplasty is known as septal hematoma. This can impair the function of the nose.
  • Adhesions: Fusion between the mucosa (inner skin) of nasal septum and adjacent structures (turbinates) is seen in ~7% of the patients and can lead to postoperative nasal congestion.
  • Anosmia: Reduced or complete loss of smell is observed in 0.3-2.9% cases post-surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions – Septoplasty Complications, Risks & Side Effects

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Does septoplasty change appearance of nose?            

The short answer is yes.

The nasal septum is a midline structure that positions the nose centrally. Any deformity in the septum causes crooked appearance of the nose. The width, height, and sharpness of the nose also depends on the dimensions (dorsal-ventral) of the septum (cartilaginous septum). So, septoplasty performed to fix the deviated septum can improve the appearance of the nose, making it more symmetrical.3Saharia PS, Deepti Sinha. Septoplasty can Change the Shape of the Nose. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2013;65(Suppl 2):220-225. doi:10.1007/s12070-011-0330-7.

Will a septoplasty straighten my nose?

Yes, the septoplasty surgery helps straighten the nose.

The nasal septum is an important structure that supports the nose. It also helps determine the appearance of the nose. The presence of septal deformity can result in a crooked appearance to the nose. Hence, undergoing septoplasty not only straightens the septum but also improves the appearance and function of the nose.4Sykes, J., Kim, J.-E., Shaye, D., & Boccieri, A. (2011). The Importance of the Nasal Septum in the Deviated Nose. Facial Plastic Surgery, 27(05), 413–421.

Does getting septum surgery change your voice?

Yes, undergoing septal surgery can change the voice for the better.

The presence of deviated septum causes nasal obstruction which results in hypo nasal speech. This happens when not enough air is able to move through the nasal cavity due to blocked nasal passage.

The septum surgery eliminates the nasal obstruction by straightening the nasal septum. It leads to a decrease in tissue surface area and widens the nasal passages. This results in a decrease in the nasal resonance and an increase in the quality of the voice.5Ozbal Koc, E. A., Koc, B., Ercan, I., Kocak, I., Tadihan, E., & Turgut, S. (2014). Effects of Septoplasty on Speech and Voice. Journal of Voice, 28(3), 393.e11–393.e15.

Is there a high risk of bleeding from septoplasty?

Excessive bleeding after the septoplasty surgery is observed in 6-12% of cases. Due to the high number of blood vessels connected to the inner skin of the nose, bleeding can be observed either during or after the septoplasty procedure. Meanwhile, mild oozing of blood is common after the surgery. In case of heavy bleeding, one should consult the surgeon.6Ketcham, A. S., & Han, J. K. (2010). Complications and Management of Septoplasty. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America, 43(4), 897–904.

Sources:

  1. 1
    Ketcham, A. S., & Han, J. K. (2010). Complications and Management of Septoplasty. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America, 43(4), 897–904.
  2. 2
    Bloom, J. D., Kaplan, S. E., Bleier, B. S., & Goldstein, S. A. (2009). Septoplasty Complications: Avoidance and Management. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America, 42(3), 463–481.
  3. 3
    Saharia PS, Deepti Sinha. Septoplasty can Change the Shape of the Nose. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2013;65(Suppl 2):220-225. doi:10.1007/s12070-011-0330-7.
  4. 4
    Sykes, J., Kim, J.-E., Shaye, D., & Boccieri, A. (2011). The Importance of the Nasal Septum in the Deviated Nose. Facial Plastic Surgery, 27(05), 413–421.
  5. 5
    Ozbal Koc, E. A., Koc, B., Ercan, I., Kocak, I., Tadihan, E., & Turgut, S. (2014). Effects of Septoplasty on Speech and Voice. Journal of Voice, 28(3), 393.e11–393.e15.

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