Septal Perforation Repair
Septal Perforation Repair is a type of surgery performed to repair a perforated septum.
Some facts about Septal Perforation Repair:
- Your nasal septum is made of cartilage in the front and bone in the back which divides your left nostril from your right and it runs all the way up the inside of your nose.
- A path from one side of your nose to the other will be opened when there is a hole in your nasal septum which can cause nosebleeds, trouble breathing, and the feeling that your nose is blocked up.
- You might also make a whistling sound as you breathe with a perforated septum.
- A perforated septum may occur after you have had surgery to fix some other problem in your nose. These may include Infections; using drugs such as over-the-counter nasal sprays or cocaine that go into your nose too often; certain diseases, including lupus, some cancers, syphilis, and tuberculosis; cautery, a treatment for nosebleeds and damage to your nose, like breaking it or even from picking it too much.
- The perforation may not require surgical repair in some cases.
- However, only applications of saline solution and lubricating gels, nasal septal perforations may have serious medical consequences.
- There is a risk of infection or bleeding after the septal perforation repair.
- Severe pain, fever, pus, persistent headache or heavy bleeding are some of the more serious complications that you can experience after the surgery.
- The perforation may reopen and require additional surgery in some cases.
Procedure for Septal Perforation Repair:
- The surgery for septal perforation repair usually takes 1 to 3 hours, and you can go home the same day in most of the cases.
- Usually, the procedure is performed under general anesthesia.
- A minimally invasive techniques is often utilized to reduce the trauma and recovery time associated with surgery.
- Closed surgery will be used by some doctors, in which they go in through the opening in your nostrils. Your nose will be open up for better access.
- The kind of ways to do the fix will be chosen by your doctor based on where the hole is and how big it is, as well as their skills and experience.
- Tissue will be taken from your nose, or even your mouth, to cover the hole.
- A flap of new tissue will be put on each side of the hole.
- More support can be added with bone, cartilage, or tissue from other parts of your body.
- A septal perforation may be repaired with a piece of silicone plastic, sometimes referred to as a button when the hole is large.
- The piece of silicone plastic will be snapped together to cover the two sides of the opening.
- The plastic insert may fall off as the perforation may enlarge over time. Additional treatment will be required in these cases.
Recovery from Septal Perforation Repair:
- The doctor will pack the nose with a splint for 5 to 7 days after septal perforation repair.
- Nasal drainage is likely to occur after the packing is removed.
- Rinsing the nose frequently with a saline solution can help assist in the healing process.
- Blowing the nose, bending forward, or exercising strenuously should be avoided for few days after the surgery.
- Usually takes 2 to 3 weeks for a full recovery.
