Septal Button

[s52bay]

Hi,

My ENT has recommended a septal button for my septal perforation. Does anyone here have experience with this? I'm wondering what kind of problems can occur after one is inserted and if it's better to have surgery.
Thank you so much.

Shirley

[Lilahsmom]

My perforation started as two sores inside my nostrils that eroded into themselves over the span of 6 months. The hole was very tiny at first and was only noticable because I began hearing a whistle. I sneezed a couple days later and something more than mucous came out. I was getting ready to move so my previous ENT didn't want to start any treatment, plus he doesn't like using septal buttons anyway. Sinus rinses, saline spray/gel and humidification was my treatment plan, sort of exactly what it had been from the beginning. Over the next 7 months, it increased in size and measured in at a little over 1cm long and a little under 1 cm tall when I went to my new ENT. It was particularly crusty on the back edge, my main problematic symptom and also the point it continued to grow from. The doctor I chose, an excellent ENT with particularly impressive experience with nasal perforations, felt like pursuing a more conservative treatment and my septal button was placed 3/18/14 (posting early am on 3/23/14). I'd honestly rather have dealt with the hole in my nose. I'm so sore from my eyes through my teeth. I was expecting a 1 piece button where it's completely smooth on both sides but I instead got a two piece which has this sort of clasp bit that pokes in my left nostril. This wouldn't be so bad but I also have my nose pierced on that side and there is only so much space in my tiny nostrils to begin with. Had I known it was a two piece I would've insisted on a 1 piece or if it wasn't an option at least requested the closure to be in my right nostril. There are also other varieties of buttons that I would have much rather had; one with an elliptical post for elongated perforations, a convex one that seems like it would sit more comfortably, a custom molded silicone insert, and even a magnetic type that allows you to remove it yourself. The button is huge (I do not think it was trimmed) and is rubbing against the bottom inner ridge of my nostril on both sides. The post connecting the two sides feels like it's jammed as far back and up in the perforation as it could possibly be, causing pain in the center and bridge of my nose. I wasn't expecting it to be anywhere near this painful; I've missed work, I'm all loopy from the pain pills, I can't breathe out of my nose I'm so swollen. If I had known all of this before, I would have rather had it surgically repaired to begin with because at least then I know the pain is worth having because it would be fixed. The only thing that helps is totally numbing it up with this lidocaine cream I happened to have from my previous ENT, swabbing Afrin in between my swollen turbinates (swabbing because spraying doesn't work) and sleeping almost sitting up (to stop drainage and one side being congested at a time) I'm going for my post-op appointment 3/24/14 and we'll see what the plan is from here.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hi, according to studies done, septal buttons are known to have good outcomes. Once the post operative swelling and inflammation subside, the pain will also disappear. And it  has a good success rate. Any further doubts you have you can discuss with your doctor before the procedure. Good luck with your procedure. Regards.