MedicineNet.com
About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map
February 9, 2010
MedicineNet home Picture Slideshows Diseases and conditions Symptoms and signs Procedures and tests Medications Picture Image Collection MedTerms medical dictionary Pet Health
Font Size
A
A
A


Nasal Airway Surgery & Surgical Instructions

The following information is provided to help patients and their families prepare for surgery, and to understand more clearly the associated benefits, risks, and complications. Patients are encouraged to ask their doctor any questions that felt necessary to help better understand this procedure.

Nasal obstruction is usually caused by a deviated or crocked septum or enlarged tissues (turbinates) within the nose. A septoplasty is an operation to correct a deformity of the partition (the septum) between the two sides of the nose. A turbinectomy is the surgical removal of an abnormally enlarged turbinate from inside the nose to improve breathing. The goals of nasal airway surgery include the following: To improve airflow through the nose, to control nosebleeds, to enhance visualization of the inside of the nose, to relieve nasal headaches associated with swelling of the inside of the nose, and to promote drainage of the sinus cavities. Nasal airway surgery is done through the nostrils without the need for external incisions.

The following instructions are designed to help persons recover from nasal airway surgery as easily as possible. Taking care of oneself can prevent complications. The doctor will be happy to answer any related questions.

What is nasal airway surgery?

Nasal airway surgery is a group of procedures (septoplasty, turbinectomy) performed to improve nasal breathing. Nasal obstruction is usually caused by a deviated septum or enlarged turbinate within the nose. All surgical procedures have risks and potential complications. Understanding what is involved before, during, and after nasal airway surgery can help patients recover from the surgery as easily as possible.

What are risks and complications of nasal airway surgery?

The surgery will be performed safely and with care in order to obtain the best possible results. Patients have the right to be informed that the surgery may involve risks of unsuccessful results, complications, or injury from both known and unforeseen causes. Because individuals differ in their response to surgery, their anesthetic reactions, and their healing outcomes, ultimately there can be no guarantee made as to the results or potential complications. Furthermore, surgical outcomes may be dependent on preexisting or concurrent medical conditions.

The following complications have been reported in the medical literature. This list is not meant to be inclusive of every possible complication. They are listed here for information only, not to frighten patients, but to make them aware and more knowledgeable concerning this surgical procedure. Although many of these complications are rare, all have occurred at one time or another in the hands of experienced surgeons practicing the standard of community care. Anyone who is contemplating surgery must weigh the potential risks and complications against the potential benefits of the surgery, or any alternative to surgery.

1. Nasal obstruction due to failure to straighten the septum or later re-deviation of the septum, or the re- growth or swelling of the turbinates.

2. Failure to resolve coexisting sinus infections or recurrence of coexisting sinus problems and/or polyps, or need for further or more aggressive surgery.

3. Bleeding. In rare situations, a need for blood products or a blood transfusion. (Patients are encouraged to consult with the doctor if they are interested in autologous or designated donor directed blood prepared in advance in case an emergency transfusion was necessary.)

4. Chronic nasal drainage or excessive dryness or crusting of the nose or sinuses.

5. Need for allergy evaluation, treatments, or environmental controls. Surgery is not a cure for nor a substitute for good allergy control or treatment.

6. Failure to improve or resolve concurrent respiratory illness such as, but not limited to asthma, bronchitis, or cough.

7. Failure to resolve associated "sinus or nasal" headaches. The exact cause of headaches can be difficult to determine or have many causes. Patients may require consultation with another specialist such as a neurologist.

8. Damage to the eye and its associated structures (rare).

9. Permanent numbness of the upper teeth, palate, or face.

10. Prolonged pain, impaired healing, and the need for hospitalization.

11. Septal perforation, which is a permanent hole inside the nose between the two sides.

12. Failure to restore or worsening of the sense of smell or taste, or to relieve nosebleeds.



Next: What happens before surgery? »

Printer-Friendly Format  |  Email to a Friend


Suggested Reading by Our Doctors
MedicineNet Doctors
  • CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography) - CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography, CAT scan) is a procedure that assists in diagnosing tumors, fractures, bony structures, and infections in the organs and tissues of the body.
  • Chronic Rhinitis and Post-Nasal Drip - Information on post nasal drip and chronic rhinitis includes symptoms such as itchy runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, ears, and throat, and nasal congestion.
  • Sinus Surgery (Patient Instructions) - Sinus surgery involves the precise removal of diseased sinus tissue with the improvement in the natural drainage channels by the creation of a pathway for infected material to drain from the sinus cavities. The sinus surgery information is provided to help you prepare for sinus surgery and to help you understand more clearly the associated benefits, risks, and complications.

Latest Medical News


Allergies & Asthma

Improve treatments & prevent attacks.


Are you Depressed? Take the Quiz

Your Guide to Symptoms & Signs: Pinpoint Your Pain



Nasal Airway Surgery & Surgical Instructions

What is the purpose of the nose?

The purpose of the nose is to warm, clean, and humidify the air you breathe as well as help you to smell and taste. A normal person will produce about two quarts of fluid each day (mucus), which aids in keeping the respiratory tract clean and moist. Tiny microscopic hairs (cilia) line the surfaces of the nasal cavity, helping to brush away particles. Eventually the mucus blanket is moved to the back of the throat where it is unconsciously swallowed. This entire process is closely regulated by several body systems.

Structurally, the nose is separated into two passageways (left and right nostrils) by a structure called the septum. Protruding into each breathing passage are bony projections, called turbinates, which help to increase the surface area of the inside of the nose. There are three turbinates on each side of the nose (inferior or lower turbinates, middle turbinates, superior or upper turbinates). The sin...

Read the Chronic Rhinitis and Post-Nasal Drip article »











Health categories:

Slideshows | Diseases & Conditions | Symptoms & Signs | Procedures & Tests | Medications | Image Collection | Medical Dictionary | Pet Health

Popular health centers:

Allergies | Arthritis | Blood Pressure | Cancer | Chronic Pain | Cold & Flu | Diabetes | Digestion | Eyesight | Health & Living | Healthy Kids

Hearing & Ear | Heart | Infectious Disease | Men's Health | Mental Health | News & Views | Pregnancy | Sexual Health | Skin | Women's Health | More...

MedicineNet.com:

About Us | Newsletters | RSS Feeds | Privacy Policy | Site Map | WebMD® | Medscape® | eMedicine® | eMedicineHealth® | RxList®

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies to the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

©1996-2010 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Notices and Legal Disclaimer.
MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.