An endoscopic approach to the deviated nasal septum--a preliminary study

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Rhinology
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Deviated nasal septum and turbinate hypertrophy cause significant nasal obstruction.
• Traditional septoplasty has limitations in visualizing and managing certain septal abnormalities.
• Nasal endoscopy offers precise visualization of the nasal cavity, including the osteo-metal complex.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of endoscope-aided septoplasty (EAS) versus traditional septoplasty (TS).
• To evaluate subjective and objective outcomes in treating pathological septum and turbinates.
• To determine the superiority and limitations of the endoscopic approach in nasal septum management.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 30 cases of EAS and 30 cases of TS.
• Subjective assessment using visual analogue scores.
• Objective assessment via nasal endoscopy to evaluate pathological abnormalities and treatment outcomes.

Main Results:

• Endoscope-aided septoplasty (EAS) was more effective in relieving contact areas and nasal obstruction (p ≤ 0.05).
• Nasal endoscopy allows precise identification of abnormalities of the nasal septum and lateral nasal wall.
• The endoscopic approach demonstrated superiority in managing deviated nasal septum and turbinates.

Conclusions:

• Endoscope-aided septoplasty (EAS) is a superior technique for managing deviated nasal septum and associated turbinate issues.
• A combined approach, utilizing endoscopy for posterior deviations and traditional methods for anterior deviations, is advocated.
• The study underscores the benefits and limitations of the endoscopic approach in septoplasty.