Secondary septum surgery: what is it and why is it associated with drug use?

Cocaine is a destructive drug that causes a lack of blood circulation on the surface of the nasal mucosa. Therefore, the loss of nourishment causes the destruction of the nasal mucosa and of the cartilage that supports the profile of the nose from the inside (in short, it causes necrosis). Because of these consequences, it has been necessary to perform secondary septum surgery of the nose, so that these patients can breathe normally.

What is nasal necrosis?

Necrosis is the destruction of tissue. It is accompanied by chronic infection, since the destroyed tissue has poor defences and is easily infected by microorganisms.

Chronic inflammation causes increasing obstruction of the nose, making breathing and smelling difficult.

Can secondary septum surgery of the nose be avoided by giving up drugs?

People who use cocaine have two problems: one is the destruction of the internal tissue of the nose and the other is the chronic inflammation caused by the added infection in that area.

When the patient stops using, the nasal tissue stops being destroyed, but the chronic inflammation that caused the destruction of tissue and its chronic infection is more difficult to cure.

If the septum is excessively destroyed, the nose will sink in the middle, taking on the shape of a saddle, typical of this addiction.

Can the area affected by necrosis be recovered?

The destroyed part will never regenerate, and in more serious cases breathing and the sense of smell are not always recovered.

If the patient has stopped inhaling cocaine and the infection is under control, the size of the perforation and whether it causes significant discomfort to the patient will be assessed.

How is secondary septum surgery of the nose performed?

Reconstructive surgery is performed with grafts or implants to restore the septum, and its success depends on several factors.

A very important aspect is that the surgeon performing this procedure has experience in these cases, since the results depend greatly on it, as well as on the patient not using again.

Dr. Fernández Blanco is an expert in secondary septum surgeries (secondary rhinoplasty), if you are facing this problem and would like a consultation, book your appointment at 915 54 09 24 or visit our Facebook and leave us your question.