question for Dr. Lazoff (odd rhinophyma/septoplasty?)

[Guest guest]

Hi Dr. Lazoff,

I was curious about a certain situation, I am experiencing with the

inside of my nose (on the nasal septum wall.) I had septoplasty

surgery in october 2001 and I have been feeling burning on that

portion of my nose. The only relief i get is when i am in my parents

air-conditioned house. My question is: did septoplasty surgery

destroy, or interfere with my blood vessels in there? Does rosacea

play a role in this-because the doctor i saw had said this is

extremely rare for this to be happening. I am asking you (the

professional) of what to do next. Should i have that piece of skin

removed in my nose- the doctor said he could do that?! would

photoderm help heal that? Is there any way to cut a nerve where the

pain, and burning is (to stop it)???? any help would really be

appreciated.

thanks, doug

[Guest guest]

> ...My question is: did septoplasty surgery

> destroy, or interfere with my blood vessels in there? Does rosacea

> play a role in this-because the doctor i saw had said this is

> extremely rare for this to be happening...

I don't know the answer to your questions, Doug. It sounds like you

had a deviated septum and had reparative surgery with a good outcome

from that perspective, but now have post-operative burning and

intermittent swelling inside your nose that has persisted for almost

nine months.

The swelling needs to be examined by your ENT surgeon so he can

determine the cause. The burning could come from post-op changes

involving a small superficial nerve rather than a blood vessel, and a

small amount of swelling that comes and goes can be another post-op

feature, esp in small locations like the central face. I don't

intuitively see the connection to rosacea, but I really don't know.

Please, listen to your surgeon and not me, if he tells you rosacea is

a culprit here.

If you need more information, consider asking your surgeon to refer

you for a second opinion regarding the advisability of undergoing a

second procedure for the burning and swelling. I don't know much

about laser therapy, you'd need to speak to an expert about the

risks/benefits for treatment of local burning on post-op skin.

Marjorie

Marjorie Lazoff, MD