What to Expect After Surgery

After surgery, you may have a nasal splint or pack placed in your nostrils to stop bleeding and keep the septum straight while it heals.

You probably will get instructions on how to care for your nose while it is healing. For example, you may be told not to blow your nose and to sneeze with your mouth open to avoid pressure changes.

How Well It Works

Septoplasty is a common nasal surgery, and most people recover well.

Risks

All surgery has a small risk of infection or bleeding. Also, septoplasty carries a small risk of a hole (perforation) forming in the septum. A perforation rarely requires treatment. Additional surgery may be needed if the perforation causes discomfort or an infection develops.

Streptococcus and staphylococcus bacteria appear normally in some people. Packing the nose after surgery in people who have these bacteria increases the risk of toxic shock syndrome. Call your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:

• A fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher
• A headache
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• A rash that looks like sunburn
• Chills
• Signs of very low blood pressure, such as dizziness and fainting