Posted by GBoogie on January 17, 2003 at 04:47:26:

In Reply to: CPAP after Septoplasty? posted by cjm36 on January 16, 2003 at 18:34:11:

You'll probably get more responses over on the Non-CPAP Forum, but...

Mom underwent septoplasty on 2 separate occasions with 2 different surgeons and resumption of CPAP was done differently each time.

Generally speaking, the first operation was 'gentler' but inneffective. The second operation was more invasive, but it seems to have worked. From my less-than-perfect understanding of septoplasty and the different ways you can do it, the first procedure attempted to cut the cartilage into sections so that they would fit better around the bent-up nose bone, resulting in a more open nostril, while the second procedure went past the layer of cartilage and just removed the bent-up nose bone that was causing the cartilage to intrude into the nostril in the first place.

Mom suffers from mild dementia/cognitive impairment, so she stayed in the hospital for one night following each procedure.

The first surgeon had me bring Mom's autoPAP to the hospital on the day of surgery with a full face mask, but only if she had a full face mask. He said it was possible, but not probable, that she could use it that first night after surgery. She wound up not using it that night, and using her full-face mask for about one week before returning to her nasal mask.

The second surgeon said CPAP would have to be discontinued completely. She resumed it after 6 nights without it, and after the surgeon examined her that day.

I, too, hope you will not need CPAP following your surgery, but I think it is more likely that the surgery will just allow CPAP to work better. Any mouth-breathing issues may go away and you may need less presure, which should make CPAP use more comfortable, but I wouldn't bet the house that you can stop being a hosehead. You'll probably just be a happier hosehead.

Good luck.

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