Experts in Septal Perforation Repair Surgery
Unfortunately, sometimes people with an autoimmune disease, prior history of rhinoplasty or septoplasty, drug use, or for no known reason at all may develop a hole in their nasal septum, the dividing wall between your nostrils on the inside of your nose. This hole is called a septal perforation. With time, it can cause the nasal cartilage to deteriorate along with the mucosa and become bothersome for patients. Symptoms of smaller perforations can include whistling when breathing or sleeping, frequent nosebleeds, and heavy crusting. It can also cause nasal obstruction due to changes in the air flow patterns of the nose. Very large perforations can sometimes disrupt the support to the external nose, which can cause collapse. Septal perforation repair is a type of surgery designed to repair the hole in your septum to alleviate some of these symptoms as well as prevent further progression of the hole.
Repair Symptoms & Prevent Further deterioration
The goal of septal perforation repair is to relieve all of these symptoms as well as to prevent further deterioration of the septum. Failure to properly address non-stable septal perforation can sometimes lead to more severe damage, such as a collapsed nose. Fixing your septum can also lead to an increased quality of life, especially if you’ve been struggling with breathing issues, whistling, recurrent nosebleeds, and bothersome crusting.
To find out if you're eligible for this procedure, book a consultation with Dr. Melancon at Audubon Facial Plastic Surgery. The underlying cause and size of the perforation will determine your chances of success with septal perforation repair.
This outpatient procedure will be performed while you are under general anesthesia and lasts generally three to five hours, depending on the severity of your perforation. New Orleans facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Melancon uses an open rhinoplasty approach to access the hole in your septum.
Then, mucosa from surrounding parts of your nose is advanced to close the perforation on each side of the nose. In order to further strengthen the repair, Dr. Melancon uses an acellular dermal matrix graft called AlloDerm between the mucosal flaps. Once the hole in your septum has been repaired, you will have soft silastic splints in your nose for one to two weeks in addition to a splint external to your nose. Your sutures will be removed at five to seven days postoperatively.
follow all postoperative instructions after septal perforation repair
After your surgery, you may have bruising and swelling. There will likely also be light bloody oozing, and your nose will feel sore. You can gently ice your nose to help alleviate swelling and speed up your healing time. ​​In addition, you will have soft silastic sheets in your nose for one to two weeks, which will keep your septum protected and moist as it heals.
You may also have a cast on the outside of your nose for further support. You should avoid any strenuous activity for six weeks. Most people take two weeks off from work to recover. Your splints and cast should be removed within one-two weeks, depending on your rate of healing. It is extremely important to follow all postoperative instructions after your New Orleans septal perforation repair to prevent re-perforation and aid in repair of your septal perforation.
If you have a septal perforation and are interested in evaluation and consideration for surgical repair, set up your consultation with Dr. Melancon. Dr. Melancon specifically trained under one of the world’s top septal perforation repair surgeons and considers herself an expert in septal perforation repair. Call or email Audubon Facial Plastic Surgery today for your evaluation because we strive to deliver the best septal perforation repair New Orleans has to offer.
After you have healed, you should notice relief from your previous symptoms caused by the perforation, including improved ability to breathe, a lack of whistling noise, reduced bleeding and crusting.
The cost really depends on the extent of the perforation, and if you have any other procedures at the same time.
Generally, surgery is the best option for septal perforation repair. Sometimes, in rare instances, very small septal perforations will close with time by themselves. In other instances, where a patient cannot go to the operating room for health reasons for example, you can consider using a septal button, which more or less fills the septal hole with a soft plastic. A septal button is not a permanent fix and oftentimes can cause the perforation to actually enlarge. All in all, surgery is the best way to repair a perforation.
Because you’ll be under anesthesia during the procedure, you will not feel anything. However, once the anesthesia wears off, you will likely experience some discomfort from swelling and your nose will feel quite tender for a few days after surgery. You will have prescription medicine to help with any pain.
Deviated septums are bent or crooked, while perforated septums have tears or holes in the septum wall that separates your nostrils. There are separate treatments available for each of these.
At Audubon Facial Plastic Surgery, we know one of the most challenging parts of this process is the first step. We are a welcoming, restful place for you to come and learn about all the ways you can live life to the fullest and be the most beautiful you. Call or click to schedule a consultation to learn how you can breathe easy at Audubon Facial Plastic Surgery.
Audubon Facial Plastic Surgery
6001 Magazine Street, Ste D, New Orleans LA 70118
Audubon Facial Plastic Surgery - Northshore Location 1090 W. Causeway Approach, Mandeville LA 70471
