If you have a deviated septum, the thin piece of cartilage that separates your nasal passageways (the septum) is abnormally bent. This can cause severe breathing problems, which your doctor can address through a surgical procedure called a septoplasty.
Like other surgeries, deviated septum surgery has some inherent potential complications. There is always the risk of an adverse reaction to the anesthesia used, which could cause breathing problems or other allergic reactions. Some patients experience uncontrolled bleeding during or after surgery. Also, there is the risk of contracting an infection while in the hospital or while healing from surgery. Your doctor will discuss these risks with you before surgery and will manage them as much as possible.
Some complications of deviated septum surgery will require follow-up surgeries. This includes the possibility that the first surgery won't work and you still experience problems with uncontrolled nosebleeds and difficulty breathing through your nose. There is also a risk that your septum wall could be punctured during surgery. If this happens, a second surgery will be needed to repair the perforation.
Other complications that are considered more rare include:
Infections from the nasal packing. This is usually occurs when the patient replaces nasal packing with used packing. The doctor will explain why it is extremely important to use new packing at every change. If an infection does occur, high fever and a rash develops. The patients must contact their doctor or physician immediately. Early detection can prevent the possibility of toxic shock syndrome.
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