Do they put anything in your nose during surgery?

September 30, 2025 •

4 min read

Yes, depending on the type of procedure and anesthesia, several things might be placed in or near your nose during surgery. These can range from a simple nasal cannula delivering oxygen to a more invasive nasotracheal tube, which secures the airway for complex surgeries. The specific tools and medications used are carefully selected by your medical team to ensure safety and comfort.

Quick Summary

During surgery, items such as oxygen tubes, anesthetic sprays, and surgical packing may be placed in the nose. This is done to provide oxygen, numb the nasal passages, or manage bleeding, depending on the surgical plan.

Key Points

Purpose-Driven Interventions: The use of nasal devices during surgery is highly specific and depends on the surgical and anesthetic needs for the procedure.
Anesthesia Type Matters: Simple oxygen delivery via nasal cannula is used for conscious sedation, while nasotracheal intubation through the nose is for more complex general anesthesia cases.
Local and Topical Anesthetics: Sprays or soaked cotton pledgets are applied to numb nasal tissues and constrict blood vessels, minimizing pain and bleeding.
Post-Surgical Care: Nasal packing is inserted after certain sinus or nasal surgeries to control bleeding and support healing.
Patient Safety First: All nasal interventions are carefully managed by the medical team to ensure patient safety, adequate breathing, and optimal surgical conditions.

Common nasal procedures and anesthetic methods

During surgical procedures, your anesthesia team and surgeon may use your nose for several reasons. The specific item placed and the reason for it will depend on the type of surgery and the level of anesthesia required. For some procedures, the intervention may be minimal, while others require more extensive manipulation of the nasal passages.

Nasal cannula for oxygen delivery

One of the most common and least invasive things placed in a patient's nose is a nasal cannula. This is a thin, flexible tube with two prongs that rest just inside the nostrils to deliver supplemental oxygen. It is often used for patients undergoing conscious sedation or local anesthesia to ensure adequate oxygenation throughout the procedure. For example, during high-flow nasal oxygenation (HFNO), a specialized nasal cannula can provide heated and humidified oxygen at a high flow rate, which is particularly beneficial for certain patients.

Nasotracheal intubation for airway management

For general anesthesia, a more involved procedure known as nasotracheal intubation may be necessary. This involves passing an endotracheal tube through the nostril, down the back of the throat, and into the trachea (windpipe). This method is crucial when the surgical site is in or around the mouth, jaw, or head and neck, as it keeps the breathing tube out of the surgeon's way. Before the tube is inserted, the nostril is often prepared with a topical anesthetic spray and vasoconstricting agents to minimize discomfort and bleeding.

Local anesthetic sprays and pledgets

Even with general anesthesia, surgeons and anesthesiologists frequently apply local anesthetic agents to the nasal passages. This is achieved using sprays or cotton pledgets soaked in medication like lidocaine or oxymetazoline. This process serves a dual purpose: it numbs the area to minimize post-operative pain and constricts blood vessels to reduce bleeding during the surgery. This is a routine step in many ear, nose, and throat (ENT) procedures, including sinus surgery and rhinoplasty.

Nasal packing after surgery

After certain nasal and sinus surgeries, the surgeon may place nasal packing inside the nose. This material, which can be made of soft foam or gauze, is used to apply pressure to the nasal lining to control bleeding and provide support for healing tissues. Newer, dissolvable forms of packing are often used to improve patient comfort after the procedure. In cases of severe nasal trauma or complex rhinoplasty, removable splints may also be used to stabilize the internal structures.

Comparison of nasal interventions during surgery


Type of Intervention	Purpose	When It's Used	Method of Placement
Nasal Cannula	Delivers supplemental oxygen.	Conscious sedation, local anesthesia, or post-surgery.	Flexible tube with two prongs inserted just inside the nostrils.
Nasotracheal Tube	Secures the airway for ventilation.	Maxillofacial, dental, and head and neck surgeries under general anesthesia.	Tube is passed through the nostril into the windpipe.
Local Anesthetic Sprays/Pledgets	Numb nasal tissues and constrict blood vessels.	Before procedures like rhinoplasty or sinus surgery, even under general anesthesia.	Spray bottle or cotton soaked in medication placed in the nose.
Nasal Packing	Control bleeding and support healing tissues.	After sinus surgery or rhinoplasty.	Gauze or foam material is placed in the nasal passages.

Potential reasons for nasal intervention

The need for placing something in your nose during surgery is entirely procedure-dependent. For simple, non-invasive surgeries like a colonoscopy under sedation, you might not have anything in your nose beyond a cannula. Conversely, surgeries involving the facial region, such as dental or maxillofacial reconstruction, almost always require nasotracheal intubation to give the surgeon clear access to the mouth. The decision is made by the anesthesia provider in consultation with the surgeon, with patient safety and surgical requirements being the primary concerns. For example, in a rhinoplasty, a surgeon may inject a numbing agent combined with a vasoconstrictor to minimize bleeding, a key factor for good outcomes. After a procedure like septoplasty to correct a deviated septum, packing or splints are essential for ensuring the septum heals correctly in its new, straightened position.

Conclusion

Yes, medical professionals do put things in your nose during surgery, but the intervention varies significantly based on the procedure and anesthetic plan. From simple oxygen delivery with a nasal cannula to complex airway management via nasotracheal intubation, each technique serves a vital purpose. Topical sprays and cotton pledgets are also used to numb the area and reduce bleeding, while nasal packing is often necessary post-surgery to aid healing and manage bleeding. Understanding these different reasons can help patients feel more prepared and informed about what to expect on the day of their procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

A tube may be inserted through your nose (nasotracheal intubation) for non-nasal surgeries, especially those involving the mouth or jaw. This provides the surgeon with a clear operating field while keeping your airway secure under general anesthesia.

Medical teams use topical anesthetics and gentle techniques to minimize discomfort during nasal procedures. For more invasive procedures like intubation, you will be under anesthesia and won't feel anything. Post-surgery, some items like nasal packing might cause temporary pressure or discomfort.

A nasal cannula is a soft plastic tube that delivers supplemental oxygen through your nostrils. It is often used for conscious sedation to ensure you are receiving enough oxygen throughout the procedure, which is a key part of maintaining patient safety.

Nasal packing is a material placed inside the nose after certain procedures like sinus surgery or septoplasty to control bleeding and provide internal support. It is not always necessary and depends on the specific surgery and surgeon's preference.

Yes, if you have a nasotracheal tube, it is a breathing tube designed to help you breathe. For general anesthesia, a machine controls your breathing. If you have a nasal cannula, it delivers oxygen to support your own breathing.

Nasal anesthesia typically involves spraying a topical numbing medication, sometimes combined with a decongestant, directly onto the inside of the nose. This anesthetizes the nasal passages, reduces bleeding by constricting blood vessels, and helps prevent post-operative pain.

If removable nasal packing is used, a doctor or nurse will typically remove it a few days after surgery. Modern packing materials are often softer and lubricated to facilitate easier removal. Some newer types are designed to dissolve on their own.