Extracorporeal septoplasty: complications and new techniques

Area of Science:

• Rhinology
• Otolaryngology
• Functional Nasal Surgery

Background:

• Correction of a caudally deviated septum is a challenging goal in functional nasal surgery.
• Extracorporeal septoplasty (ECS) is an established technique for addressing complex septal deviations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report complication rates associated with extracorporeal septoplasty (ECS).
• To introduce and describe a novel fixation and splinting technique for stable midline reconstruction of the neocaudal septum.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of patient medical records.
• Analysis of complication data from 46 patients undergoing ECS between June 2007 and April 2010.
• Description of a new technique for neoseptal fixation and splinting.

Main Results:

• The overall complication rate for ECS was 9% (4 patients), with 4% minor and 4% major complications.
• Twenty-six patients underwent primary repair, and 20 underwent revision surgery.
• Grafts (ear or rib cartilage) were required in 15 revision cases.

Conclusions:

• Complication rates for ECS are comparable to those of endonasal septoplasty.
• The developed technique provides stable midline fixation of the neocaudal septum.
• Novel splinting, rather than suture fixation to the nasal spine, facilitates stable reconstruction.