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Risks
By Mayo Clinic staffAs with any major surgery, septoplasty carries risks, such as bleeding, infection and an adverse reaction to the anesthesia. Other possible risks specific to septoplasty include:
- Persistence in previous symptoms, such as nasal obstruction, despite surgery
- Excessive bleeding
- Change in the shape of your nose
- An opening in the septum (septal perforation)
- Scarring
- Decrease in sense of smell
- A collection of blood in the nasal space that would need to be drained (septal hematoma)
Additional surgery may be required to treat some of these complications or if the outcome of the surgery doesn't match your expectations. Talk to your doctor about your specific risks before surgery.
References
- Kridel RWH, et al. The nasal septum. In: Flint PW, et al. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05283-2..X0001-8--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05283-2&uniqId=230100505-57. Accessed April 28, 2011.
- Fact sheet: Deviated septum. American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/deviatedSeptum.cfm. Accessed April 27, 2011.
- Ketcham AM, et al. Complications and management of septoplasty.
- Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2010;43:897.
- Preparing for nose surgery. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/nose-surgery-.html?sub=Preparing%20for%20nose%20surgery. Accessed April 30, 2011.
- Rhinoplasty surgery steps. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/nose-surgery-.html?sub=Rhinoplasty%20surgery%20steps. Accessed April 30, 2011.
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