Nasal Septum Straightening & Submucosal Turbinate Reduction Surgery for Nasal Septal Deviation and Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy

Having suffered from allergies since childhood, while my allergy symptoms have somewhat improved as I've grown older, I still experience breathing difficulties due to a deviated nasal septum and chronic allergic-induced inferior turbinate hypertrophy. When I get sick or my immune system is weaker, my allergy symptoms worsen, often leading to nasal congestion and shallow sleep. After researching information about the potential health risks of poor sleep, including increased cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk, I am reluctant to rely on medication and am considering undergoing surgery to see if it can improve my condition

Initially, I visited a clinic near my home for a checkup and medication. I noticed that this doctor performed surgeries to reduce inferior turbinate hypertrophy and claimed that they were relatively bloodless, requiring no hospitalization, and involving no actual cutting. I inquired about the procedure but was informed that my condition, characterized by a severe deviated nasal septum, would not significantly benefit from merely reducing inferior turbinate size, and my request was declined.

So, I decided to seek medical care at a major hospital, and eventually chose Dr. Wei-Chih Chen at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital for the surgery. When registering for the appointment, it's important to pay attention to the expertise of the attending physician. My first appointment was with a different doctor, who, despite being an otolaryngologist, primarily specialized in throat-related issues. During the appointment, the doctor conducted blood tests to measure allergy levels and concluded that my allergy levels were too high, rendering medication ineffective. I was advised not to proceed.

Undeterred, I made a second appointment, this time specifically with Dr. Wei-Chih Chen, a specialist in rhinology. During the appointment, Dr. Chen examined the structure of my nasal passages, informed me about the severity of the nasal septal deviation, and presented the option of undergoing surgery. He explained the associated risks and inquired about elective procedures that would require additional fees, including Nasal Septum Straightening + Submucosal Turbinate Reduction Surgery (priced at 30,000 NTD). After confirming my decision, we scheduled a date for the surgical procedure.

The surgery was scheduled for a Friday, so I needed to check in and be admitted on Thursday afternoon. There, a pre-operative assessment was conducted to evaluate the anesthesia risks. The anesthesiologist asked if I wanted to add any self-funded items, one of which was a monitoring device to assess the depth of anesthesia. This device, priced at 1500 NTD, would provide the anesthesiologist with real-time information about the depth of anesthesia, making the procedure potentially safer. I opted to pay for this additional monitoring. Following the assessment, I was directed to my hospital room, which was a three-person ward covered by national health insurance. As the surgery was scheduled for the next day, I was prohibited to eat or drink anything, including water, after midnight.

At 5 a.m., due to fasting requirements, a nurse administered a glucose solution via an IV. From this point on, I would remain connected to the IV until discharge, receiving essential medications, including antibiotics, intravenously. The doctor came to check on me around 7 a.m., but unfortunately, due to the high number of patients scheduled for surgery with Dr. Wei-Chih Chen that day, the order of procedures was based on factors like age. As a result, I had to wait until after 2 p.m. before my surgery could take place. Thankfully, the intravenous drip kept me comfortable, and the only inconvenience was the long hours of waiting.

The entire surgical process, including the waiting and entering the operating room, was surprisingly comfortable. The nurses were exceptionally kind and attentive. Upon arriving at the operating table, the nurses even asked if I felt cold. In addition to covering me with a warm blanket, they also provided a heater that was connected directly to my bedding. As a result, when I woke up after the surgery, even my feet felt warm.😎

At the start of the anesthesia, the initial dose was relatively mild, resulting in a slight dizziness in my head. The anesthesiologist then began providing some post-anesthesia instructions, although I found it interesting that this was done at this moment. As I continued to listen to the instructions, I gradually drifted off to sleep... and then woke up again.

After waking up, I felt incredibly comfortable. It could be due to the additional self-funded items I had opted for, I experienced no dizziness or nausea whatsoever. What's more, my nasal passages were completely clear! I was overjoyed. I then spent some time in the recovery room before being wheeled back to my hospital room.

However, as the anesthesia wore off, I began experiencing severe nasal congestion, which was quite challenging to endure. People who have had chronic nasal congestion may be familiar with occasional stuffiness, but this was a complete blockage. I believe it was due to the significant swelling of the surgical site. It was so severe that even swallowing saliva was a struggle. Throughout the night, nurses came in periodically to check on my intravenous drip and antibiotic dosage, and dealing with the extremely congested nose made it incredibly difficult to sleep.

I had the surgery on Friday, and early on Saturday, I had to return for a follow-up appointment with the doctor to have the wound examined. This mostly involved a bit of cleaning and ensuring there was no sign of infection. After that, the hospital offered the option to purchase a nasal irrigator for 1,200 NTD as an additional expense. However, I later discovered more cost-effective alternatives online. At the time, I relied on the advice of family members and nurses and ended up purchasing the one offered by the hospital. If you already have a nasal irrigation routine, this additional purchase might not be necessary.

I was discharged from the hospital around noon on Sunday, so my total stay in the hospital was approximately three full days.

After returning home, I carefully reviewed the instructions for the nasal irrigator and realized that it should not be used when experiencing severe nasal congestion. This explained why, when I attempted to use it in the hospital, the water jet kept causing intense discomfort in my ears. However, both the nurses and the doctor had advised me to start nasal irrigation and recommended doing it four times a day. It was ultimately a matter of personal judgment, so I decided to temporarily pause the nasal irrigation, as I was concerned it might lead to ear discomfort or potentially develop into otitis media.

The following days were quite challenging as my severe nasal congestion persisted, and it was the kind that felt completely blocked. There wasn't much I could do except focus on nutrition and try to get more sleep in the hope of a quicker recovery through this phase.

My next follow-up appointment was scheduled for Wednesday, which marked five days since the surgery. During the appointment, the doctor not only examined the surgical site but also helped clear the blood clots that had been causing the severe nasal congestion. This was the primary cause of the congestion. The process was relatively painless, and after the clearing, my nose instantly became clear. It seems that frequent nasal irrigation might help prevent these blood clots from forming.

However, after a brief period of relief, the congestion returned. I wasn't sure if it was due to new blood clots or if my nasal passages were still experiencing heightened sensitivity due to allergies. After a few more days, the symptoms of nasal congestion finally began to subside. I could finally get a good night's sleep, and there was less blood in my mucus. The flow of water during nasal irrigation also became smoother. It seems that this surgical chapter has come to a close.

The doctor scheduled another follow-up appointment for a month later. I think that if my recovery is progressing well by then, I might not need to return for the appointment, considering the additional cost of the registration fee. I anticipate that there shouldn't be any significant issues at that point!😅

The main thing to keep in mind is to exercise discretion when it comes to the self-funded options. For instance, there are two pricing options for the submucosal turbinate reduction surgery, as the doctor explained that the difference in temperature results in varying post-operative bleeding and recovery rates. Additionally, it's crucial not to blow your nose after the surgery, as it could disrupt wound healing and lead to further bleeding. I followed these guidelines diligently, and personally, I didn't experience significant post-operative bleeding, and my nose didn't have much discomfort (possibly due to the pain medication!).

It's been approximately two weeks since the surgery, and my nose is currently quite clear. There's only a slight congestion remaining on the left side, where the primary surgical correction was made (due to the deviated nasal septum towards the left). However, compared to how it was before, it's much improved. I consider the surgery a success and hope for even better sleep quality in the future. I'm very grateful to the doctor and the nurses. A visit to the hospital made me realize how demanding the work of healthcare professionals is. I hope that Taiwan's healthcare environment continues to improve! 👍

Life

Alvin

Software engineer, interested in financial knowledge, health concepts, psychology, independent travel, and system design.

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