|  | Surgeries Operations | Surgeries

Side Effects of Deviated Septum Surgery

A deviated septum is the medical term used to describe crooked cartilage or bone in the nasal septum, the "wall between the nostrils that separates the two nasal passages," according to the medical website WebMD. A deviated septum can lead to difficulties with breathing including snoring and sleep apnea. The surgery to fix a deviated septum is called a septoplasty and may be necessary if breathing problems fail to improve through non-surgicial methods.

  1. Bleeding

    • Like all surgeries, you may experience bleeding post-surgery. Consult your doctor about frequent or prolonged nose bleeds. Your surgeon may insert a nasal splint in your nostrils to help stop bleeding and to keep your septum straight as it heals in coming weeks, according to WebMD. Often you cannot blow your nose during this time. You may also need to sneeze with you mouth open.

    Holes

    • Somes septoplasties lead to a small hole, or perforation, forming in the nasal wall. If your septum becomes perforated, consult your doctor. "Additional surgery may be needed if the perforation causes discomfort or an infection develops," writes WebMD.

    Bacterial Infections

    • Your surgeon may pack the nose to inhibit bleeding, and this can increase the risk of toxic shock syndrome. WebMD writes that you should contact your doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms: headache, fever of 101 degrees F or higher, diarrhea, chills, vomiting, a red rash that looks like sunburn or signs of high blood pressure (dizziness and fainting).

    Anesthesia

    • WebMD reports that you will receive anesthesia for the 60- to 90-minute surgery. Grogginess, disorientation and having a difficult time thinking clearly are side effects of anesthesia.

Surgeries - Related Articles