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Common operations of the nose

• Septoplasty – correction of a deviated septum (central part of nose).  These patients have a chronically blocked nose due to obstruction by bone or cartilage.
• Rhinoplasty – Correction of a deviated nasal bridge, humps, saddle noses or other deformities of the bridge.
• Septorhinoplasty – combination of the above.
• Turbinectomy – reducing the size of the turbinates in the sides of the nose.  These patients also present with a chronically blocked nose.
• Fess – Functional endoscopic sinus surgery.  Removal of diseased mucosa and polyps, clearing of obstructed sinus openings etc.  There is a wide variety of procedures that resort under this heading.
• Nose operations are mostly done under general anesthesia – the patient will thus not be aware of any pain during the procedure.

Potential Complications

Structures such as they eyes, tear ducts, nerves, blood vessels and meninges (sheaths covering the brain and containing brain fluid) are all in the vicinity when working in a nose.  Any of these might be injured, depending on the type of operation being done.  Your doctor will be able to give you a good idea of whether these risks are pertinent in your procedure.

After the surgery

After any nasal surgery the nose might feel blocked for a few days to a week due to swelling in the area.

Nasal plugs may be placed in the nose after surgery to control severe bleeding.  In most cases however, we try to not use this.

There may be a watery or bloodstained discharge from the nose which can be controlled by using cotton wool or gauze.

Do not rub or scratch the nose as this may cause damage.

Use only the rinse and sprays that has been prescribed by your doctor to clear the nose. Under no circumstances should you blow your nose.

Severe bleeding can be controlled by local pressure to the nose. You should contact your doctor as soon as possible or go to casualties for help.

Follow-up visits will be scheduled after surgery.

More detail about procedures can be discussed with your doctor.

Purpose:          The purpose of the grommet is to ensure ventilation of the middle ear, i.e. to let air flow from outside into the middle ear. Normally this ventilation would be performed via the Eustachian tube that runs from the middle ear to the back of the nose.  However, in a diseased ear the function of this tube can become poor. If this situation does not resolve spontaneously or on medication a grommet may be indicated.

In a sick ear pus can also flow out through the grommet although this is not its primary function.  Pus is an indicator of infection and should be treated. If this is the case, please contact your doctor immediately.

Operation:       For children the procedure is performed under general anesthesia. In adults it can be performed under local anesthesia in the rooms. Usually there is immediate relief post-operatively after insertion of the grommet(s). Slight pain or discomfort may occur and can be treated with painkillers. Your doctor may prescribe ear drops which can flow through the grommet into the middle ear. During the first few days after the operation bloodstained pus might flow from the ear – if this persists and your doctor did not prescribe ear drops, please inform him of this discharge.

Follow-up:       Please visit your doctor 10-14 days after the procedure to confirm that everything is in order. Should there be any problems before that time, e.g. a discharge that persists in spite of treatment, you should contact your doctor earlier.

Important: The ear should be dry and without pus if the grommet is functioning and the ear healthy.

Long Term:     A grommet will stay in the ear for anything from 3 months up to five years, depending on the type of grommet and the individual response of the patient. The normal period is about 10-12 months.

It will fall out spontaneously after this time.  If a grommet does not fall out of the ear the patient is followed up for some time before the surgeon might consider removing the grommet.

Should ear symptoms (deafness, blocked feeling, earache, pulling of the ears, or a discharge) occur, please consult your Doctor.  Showering, bathing, washing of hair and swimming normally do not cause any problems as very little water reaches the eardrum and if so is not under pressure.  Diving or swimming deep under the water should be discouraged as this might force water through the grommet into the middle ear. These patients should wear earplugs when swimming.