What are the risks of deviated septum surgery?

List of risks: Surgery for a deviated septum is called septoplasty. This surgery can be performed closed (no incision) or open (incision inside the nose). Risks include pain, bleeding, infection, septal hematoma, scar bands (synechiae), septal perforation, incomplete correction of the deviation, over resection of the septum leading to saddle nose deformity.

Breathing issues: The most common risks include but are not limited to persistent airway difficulty and septal perforation. Both can be addressed by further surgery.

Risks of septoplasty: with any procedure there is the risk of bleeding or infection. With septal surgery, risks include septal perforation, saddle nose deformity, CSF leak and even the need for revision surgery. Be sure to have your nose evaluated by a board certified otolaryngologist.