Septoplasty corrects a deviated septum, the wall of cartilage and bone separating the nostrils. This procedure aims to improve nasal airflow and alleviate breathing difficulties. While enhanced nasal breathing is the ultimate goal, the immediate period after surgery involves temporary limitations. Patients experience gradual improvement as healing progresses.
Immediate Post-Septoplasty Breathing Experience
After septoplasty, nasal passages commonly feel blocked. This blockage is primarily due to internal swelling and sometimes from nasal packing or splints. Many patients find mouth breathing necessary because nasal airways are temporarily obstructed. Congestion, dryness, pressure, and mild pain are frequently reported.
Nasal packing, if used, absorbs drainage, reduces bleeding, and supports the newly repositioned septum. Internal splints, often plastic or flexible, are also placed inside the nose to stabilize the septum and maintain its new shape during healing. Both packing and splints contribute to the feeling of nasal blockage.
While some surgeons are moving away from routine nasal packing, if present, it is typically removed within 24 to 36 hours, though some types may remain longer. Splints are usually kept in place for about 3 to 7 days before removal during a follow-up appointment. A noticeable, though not complete, improvement in nasal airflow can occur once these materials are removed, but significant internal swelling will still be present.
Navigating the Recovery Timeline
The journey to full nasal breathing after septoplasty is a gradual process over several weeks and months. During the first week or two, swelling begins to subside, and patients may start to experience some airflow through their nose. Saline nasal sprays or rinses are often recommended during this period to keep the nasal passages moist and help clear away any crusting or dried blood, which can further impede breathing. It is important to avoid blowing the nose forcefully during this time to prevent disrupting the healing tissues or causing bleeding.
As recovery progresses into weeks three to six, nasal breathing typically continues to improve more consistently. However, it is normal to experience some fluctuating airflow or a feeling of congestion due to residual internal swelling that can persist for several weeks. Full maturation of the healing process, where all internal swelling resolves, can take several months. Many patients may not experience the full benefits of the surgery for three to six months, and in some cases, even up to a year. Individual healing timelines can vary.
Factors Affecting Long-Term Nasal Breathing
While septoplasty effectively corrects a deviated septum, other anatomical or physiological factors can influence overall nasal breathing even after successful surgery. Enlarged turbinates, which are structures inside the nose that warm and humidify air, can still impede airflow if they remain swollen or are not addressed during the procedure. Sometimes, turbinate reduction is performed concurrently with septoplasty to optimize airflow.
Environmental allergens or chronic inflammation, such as from allergies, can cause persistent nasal congestion and swelling of the nasal lining, regardless of the septum’s straightness. Excessive scar tissue formation, though rare, can also develop internally and obstruct the nasal passages, affecting airflow. Other underlying nasal issues like chronic sinusitis or nasal polyps are not directly resolved by septoplasty alone and can continue to cause breathing difficulties. In some instances, a septum may shift slightly over time or become reinjured.
When to Contact Your Surgeon
Contact your surgeon if you experience certain symptoms after septoplasty:
Excessive or persistent bleeding, particularly if it is bright red, heavy, and does not stop with light pressure.
Signs of a potential infection, such as a high fever, chills, or unusual pus-like or foul-smelling discharge from the nose.
Severe pain that worsens or is not adequately managed by prescribed pain medication.
Any sudden worsening of breathing that reverses initial improvements, or persistent difficulty breathing beyond expected recovery.
Though rare, serious symptoms like sudden eye swelling, vision changes, or persistent numbness in the face.
It is advisable to contact your surgeon with any significant concerns or if your symptoms deviate from the anticipated recovery course.