A hole in the nasal septum? (Perforated Nasal Septum) Can this be repaired with surgery?

When you look in the mirror, you see your nose. To be precise, you see the wall in the middle that separates the two nostrils, the septum. This septum runs all the way inside the nose. The front part of this is made of cartilage, which is a slightly flexible bone. The back part is made of a much stronger bone. So if there is a hole in this septum, we medically call it a ' perforated septum '. Simply put, it is a hole that connects one side of the nose to the other.

How do you know if you have a perforated septum?

To be honest, not everyone will experience symptoms. Some people may not even know they have a hole. However, if symptoms do occur, they may include:

• Frequent nosebleeds: There may be a little or sometimes a little more bleeding.
• Difficulty breathing : The nose feels constantly blocked.
• Whistling sound coming from the nose: When you breathe, especially when you inhale hard, you may hear a whistling sound coming from inside your nose.
• Formation of crusts inside the nose: Dry, hard crusts often form inside the nose.
• Pain around the nose: Some people may experience pain around the nose.

What causes a hole like this to form?

Keep in mind, there is not just one reason for this condition. There can be several reasons. Most of the time, about 50% of the time, these holes form after surgery for another problem in the nose. Apart from that, there are several other common reasons.

• Damage to the nose: This membrane can be damaged by things like a hard blow to the nose, a fractured nasal bone, or frequent nose picking.
• Use of certain medications: Long-term use of nasal sprays without medical advice , as well as snorting drugs like cocaine, are also major causes.
• Certain medical conditions: Some diseases can also damage this membrane. For example, diseases like lupus, tuberculosis, syphilis, and some types of cancer can also affect it.
• Nasal infections: Severe bacterial or fungal infections inside the nose can also weaken the membrane and cause perforation.
• Cautery: This is a treatment used to stop frequent nosebleeds. It involves cauterizing the blood vessels in the nose. Sometimes, this treatment can also damage the membrane.

What really happens during surgery?

The surgery to close this hole usually takes between 1 and 3 hours. Most of the time, you are under general anesthesia, meaning you are asleep. So you don't have to worry about feeling any pain. You can go home the same day as the surgery.

There are several ways to perform the surgery. Some doctors do it through the nostrils (closed surgery). Others do it by opening the nose a little (open surgery), which makes it easier to see. The method you choose for your doctor depends on the size of the hole, its location, and his or her experience.

Simply put, this involves taking a piece of tissue and gluing it to the hole. It's like sewing a piece of cloth over a hole in a piece of clothing. This tissue is usually taken from inside your own nose, or sometimes from inside your mouth. Then, the tissue is placed on both sides of the hole and closed. Some doctors also use something like a piece of cartilage or bone to make it stronger.

How is the recovery time after surgery?

After surgery, you will be given thin plastic splints on both sides of your nose to protect the new tissue. These will need to be left in place for a week or two. You will need to be very careful while your nose heals.

In most cases, you will be back to normal within a few weeks. You will be asked to come back to see your doctor a week after surgery. He or she will check the splints inside your nose and may remove them. If there are crusts inside your nose, they will be cleaned. You will then be asked to come back in 2, 6, and 12 weeks. It usually takes about 6 weeks to find out if the surgery was successful.

When should you see a doctor urgently?

As with any surgery, it's important to take good care of your body after this one. If you experience any of the symptoms below, talk to your doctor right away.

How do I know if I really need surgery?

This is also a very important question. Not everyone with a nose piercing needs surgery. Surgery is not usually the first step. When you see a doctor, he or she may first advise you to use a nasal ointment or saline rinse. If these simple things help relieve your symptoms (whistling, stuffy nose), surgery may not be necessary. However, the piercing can get bigger over time, so you will need to see your doctor for regular checkups. If the piercing gets too big, it can affect the stability of the nose, causing the tip or middle of the nose to droop.

If the simple treatments mentioned above do not relieve your symptoms, your doctor will check to see if there are other problems with your nose. Because sometimes the cause of your nasal congestion may not be this hole, but something else. In that case, even if you have surgery, that symptom will not go away.

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