Submucous Resection

Submucous Resection (Submucosal Resection, SMR) of the nose is a surgical procedure during which the bony and cartilaginous structures of the nasal septum or turbinates are partially removed from below the mucous membrane. It is usually intended to treat a deviated septum causing chronic nasal airway obstruction or chronic nosebleeds. Other reasons include nasal obstruction due to allergy or chronic sinus infections which have not responded to other treatments. SMR may be required for another nasal sinus surgery, when the deviated septum makes the access to other parts of the nose difficult. Sometimes it is performed as part of a cleft lip and palate repair.