What septoplasty is
A septoplasty straightens the septum, the wall of cartilage and bone between the nostrils, when it is bent (deviated) and blocks your breathing. It is done entirely through the nostrils, so there is no cast and no incision on the outside of the nose.
When the shape of the nose is changing too, the septum is straightened during a rhinoplasty (a septorhinoplasty). A septoplasty on its own changes how the nose breathes, not how it looks.
Every procedure is performed at True Surgical Center, our AAAHC-accredited surgical center in Beverly Hills. About True Surgical Center
Who it is for
Your surgeon tells you at your consultation whether septoplasty fits your goals, and says so when another approach would serve you better.
Septoplasty in Beverly Hills: the essentials
- Where
- True Surgical Center, the AAAHC-accredited surgical center at 150 S. Rodeo Drive, Suite 220, Beverly Hills.
- Anesthesia
- MAC (monitored anesthesia care) with IV sedation, or general anesthesia, given and watched throughout by a board-certified anesthesiologist. Someone takes you home or to your hotel and stays nearby the first day.
- Splints
- Soft splints inside the nose, and sometimes light packing, support the septum; your surgeon or our physician assistant removes them at your visit about a week after surgery.
- If you travel
- You are cleared to fly once the splints are out.
- Breathing
- Expect to breathe mostly through your mouth for the first days; the nose feels stuffy for several weeks while the inside heals.
- Nose care
- No nose blowing while the splints are in. Once they are out, saline spray, 2 sprays in each nostril 5 to 6 times a day.
- Exercise
- Light cardio may resume at 2 weeks. Strenuous exercise: typically 3 weeks, once your surgeon clears you.
- Final result
- The inside of the nose heals over 1 to 3 months, with a check-up 3 months after surgery.
Every plan is personal, so your surgeon confirms each of these for you at your consultation. Recovery, week by week
What happens on the day
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01Before you go in
You follow the Pre-Op General Instructions, and your plan is confirmed with your surgeon on the day.
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02Straightening the septum
Through the nostrils, the bent cartilage and bone are trimmed, straightened or repositioned, and soft splints are placed inside the nose to support the septum while it heals.
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03Going home
A gauze pad taped under your nostrils collects the mild bleeding of the first 1 to 2 days. Sleep on your back with your head raised on 2 to 3 pillows, ice your cheeks and eyes 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off, for the first 2 to 3 days, and do not blow your nose; sneeze with your mouth open.
Preparing for surgery · Out-of-town patients · Post-operative care guide
Recovery, week by week
This comes from the written instructions our patients receive before surgery, so it changes only when those instructions change.
Mild bleeding from the nose for the first 1 to 2 days, mouth breathing and a stuffy nose are expected; a humidifier near the bed helps. A fever above 101°F, a rash, dizziness or vomiting while the splints or packing are in means call us right away, as does a nosebleed that does not stop after you sit upright, gently squeeze your nostrils and place cotton soaked in Afrin in the bleeding nostril. The splints come out at your visit about a week after surgery, and you are cleared to fly once they are out.
Saline spray, 2 sprays in each nostril 5 to 6 times a day, keeps the inside of the nose moist and loosens crusts; you may begin blowing your nose gently once the splints are out. Avoid hot baths, steam showers and saunas for 2 weeks. Light cardio may resume at 2 weeks; strenuous exercise, straining or bending over typically at 3 weeks, once your surgeon clears you.
The inside of the nose heals over 1 to 3 months and your breathing keeps improving as the swelling settles. A check-up is advisable 3 months after surgery.
Difficulty breathing, chest pain, or bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure means call 911. For anything else that worries you, call us at (424) 363-4112, day or night. When to call us right away
Septoplasty risks, and how we keep you safe
Every procedure carries risk. Your surgeon goes through the risks that apply to your plan at your consultation, and each one is written in the consent you read and sign. For septoplasty, the consent lists:
- Septal Perforation. A hole in the wall between the nostrils (septal perforation) is possible.
- Nosebleeds. Bleeding from the nose is possible.
- Breathing. Breathing that does not improve, or worsens, is possible, and the septum may stay or become crooked again and need further surgery.
- Dryness and Crusting. Dryness and crusting inside the nose are possible.
- Change in Shape. A change in the shape of the nose, such as a dip in the bridge (saddle nose) or a drooping tip, is possible.
- Sense of Smell. A change in the sense of smell is possible.
- Septal Hematoma. A collection of blood in the wall between the nostrils (septal hematoma) is possible and needs to be drained.
- Toxic Shock Syndrome. Toxic shock syndrome, a serious infection, is possible when nasal packing or splints are used; fever, a rash, dizziness or vomiting means call us right away.
- Numb Front Teeth. Numbness of the upper front teeth is possible; it may be temporary or permanent.
- Adhesions. Scar bands inside the nose (adhesions) are possible and may need to be released.
- Spinal Fluid Leak. A leak of the fluid around the brain through the roof of the nose is possible and needs treatment.
Risks of any operation
- Bleeding. Bleeding during or after surgery is possible. A collection of blood under the skin (hematoma) may need drainage or a return to the operating room, and severe bleeding may need emergency treatment or a blood transfusion.
- Infection. Infection is possible and may need antibiotics, drainage or further surgery.
- Bruising and Swelling. Bruising and swelling are expected. They may last several weeks, and swelling or discoloration may persist longer.
- Scarring. Every incision or entry point leaves a permanent scar. A scar may be raised, widened, darker, lighter or more visible than expected, and takes at least 3 months to mature.
- Keloid or Raised Scar. Itching, thickening, pain or a growth along any incision can be the first sign of a keloid (a thick, raised scar). Let us know right away so it can be injected with a steroid to stop the keloid from forming. A keloid is more likely if you have had one before and may need further injections or treatment.
- Change in Skin Sensation. Numbness, tingling or a change in skin sensation around the treated areas is possible; it may be temporary or permanent.
- Delayed Healing. Delayed healing or separation of an incision is possible and much more likely with nicotine in any form.
- Allergic Reactions. Allergic reactions to tape, sutures, skin cleansers, latex or medications are possible.
- Blood Clots. Blood clots in the legs or lungs (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) are possible and more likely with longer surgery; your surgical team uses the clot-prevention plan chosen for you.
- Anesthesia. Risks of anesthesia and sedation are possible; the anesthesia provider reviews them with you separately.
- Pain. Pain after surgery is expected and should settle over several days; pain that lasts longer is possible.
- Result and Revision. A result that does not meet your expectations is possible: healing differs between people, no result is guaranteed, and a revision may be advised, with the fees described in your patient policy.
- Serious Complications. Serious complications, including death, are possible with any surgery or anesthesia.
- Heart and Lung Problems. Heart or lung problems, such as pneumonia or an irregular heartbeat, are possible after surgery and anesthesia.
- Medication Side Effects. Side effects of the medications used during and after surgery, such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness or trouble urinating, are possible.
- Injury to Deeper Structures. Injury to deeper structures, such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles or glands, is possible.
- Persistent Sutures. A deeper stitch may work its way to the surface and need to be removed.
When to call us right away · Before & after gallery · Request a consultation
Septoplasty FAQ
Surgery that straightens the septum, the wall of cartilage and bone between the nostrils, when it is bent and blocks your breathing. It is done through the nostrils, with no incision on the outside.
No. A septoplasty works inside the nose. If you would also like the shape of your nose changed, the septum is straightened during a rhinoplasty instead.
Soft splints, and sometimes light packing, support the septum while it heals. Your surgeon or our physician assistant removes them at your visit about a week after surgery.
Once the splints are out, about a week after surgery.
The consent you read and sign lists these possible complications: a hole in the wall between the nostrils (septal perforation); nosebleeds; breathing that does not improve, or worsens, or a septum that becomes crooked again and needs further surgery; dryness and crusting inside the nose; a change in the shape of the nose, such as a dip in the bridge or a drooping tip; a change in the sense of smell; a collection of blood in the septum that needs to be drained; toxic shock syndrome when splints or packing are used; numbness of the upper front teeth; scar bands inside the nose; and a leak of the fluid around the brain through the roof of the nose. It also lists the risks of any operation, including bleeding, infection, blood clots and the risks of anesthesia. Your surgeon reviews each one with you.
Related Procedures
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