I recently was hospitalized for a sinus infection which has been cleared up at this point. A follow up visit with the ENT specialist resulted in him informing me that I had a deviated septum which would require surgery to correct. From the other appends, it looks like this is not a complex or painful procedure, and not much can go wrong. My question is, since I have only had 2 sinus infections that I can remember since high school (I assume my problem is a result of a broken nose during H.S. football), should I live with the problem or have the surgery? I haven't had difficulty breathing and the only other problem I think it could possibly correct is that I do blow my nose everyday of the year, not that I have a heavy flow - just feels like theres a little wetness in there each day. Thanks in advance for the help!
Reply: --------------------------
The usual indications for recommending a nasal septoplasty operation include: persistent year round nasal airway obstruction associated with deviated septum; recurrent acute sinusitis (usually described as greater than 4-6 episodes per year) thought to be related to deviated septum; chronic sinusitis (several months) that fails to respond to comprehensive medical management where deviated septum is present and is felt to interfere with sinus drainage pathways; recurrent or severe epistaxis (nosebleeding) that fails to respond to conservative measures in which a deviated septum is present; or cosmetic deformity.
The mere presence of a deviated nasal septum does not mean that surgery is absolutely necessary. If you do not have recurrent or chronic symptoms that are felt to be due to a deviated septum, then surgery would not seem to be necessary. Furthermore, mild symptoms or occasional symptoms related to nasal septum deformities may respond to non-surgical treatments.
--
Steve Dankle, MD
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Milwaukee, Wis
NOTICE: OFCN is not engaged in the rendering of professional medical services. The information contained on this system or any other OFCN system should not supplant individual professional consultation. It is offered exclusively as a community education service. Advice on individual problems must be obtained directly from a professional.
Click here to review
previous Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic consultations