Acoustic rhinometry in the objective evaluation of childhood septoplasties

The aim of this study was to evaluate results of septoplasty during childhood objectively with the help of acoustic rhinometry (AR).

Twenty-six children aged between 6 and 15 years who had septoplasty for nasal septal deviation during year 2002 were included in this study. Twenty-one patients who had no nasal septal deformities and nasal symptoms were included as control group. The study group was divided into two subgroups: Group 1 with only anterior septal deviation (8 patients) and Group 2 with both anterior and posterior septal deviations (18 patients). Acoustic rhinometry was performed one day preoperatively and 4 months postoperatively. Preoperative and postoperative minimal cross-sectional areas (MCSA), total volumes (TV), MCSA and TVs on pathologic side were compared. Acoustic rhinometry was performed 2 months interval in control group. Patients and parents were asked about the effectiveness of surgery subjectively.

There was a statistical significance between preoperative and postoperative MCSAs of Groups 2 and 1+2. There was no statistical significance for Group 1. There was statistical significance between control group and Groups 1, 2, 1+2 in terms of MCSAs, MCSAs on pathologic side and TVs on pathologic side. There was statistical significance in terms of preoperative and postoperative MCSAs, TVs, MCSAs and TVs on pathologic side in patients with subjective well being postoperatively. There was no statistical significance in patients without any subjective postoperative improvement in terms of preoperative and postoperative MCSAs and MCSAs on pathologic side while TVs and TVs on pathologic side were statistically significant.

Surgery is successful in children. But it should be restricted to only the pathologic area and should be conservative. Acoustic rhinometry is an objective method for the evaluation of nasal septal deformities and surgical success. Further studies are needed to see long-term success of septal surgery in children.