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Pediatric nasal valve surgery: short-term outcomes and complications
Victor Chung1, Arnold S Lee2, Andrew R Scott3
1Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States.
Insights
Open nasal valve surgery in children effectively treats nasal obstruction, with positive short-term outcomes and few complications. This pediatric nasal surgery approach shows promise, similar to adult results, though long-term studies are needed.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Rhinology
Background:
- Nasal valve collapse can cause obstructive nasal breathing in children.
- Open nasal valve surgery with cartilage grafting is a potential treatment.
- Limited data exists on pediatric outcomes for this procedure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the short-term outcomes and complications of open nasal valve surgery in pediatric patients.
- To compare pediatric outcomes with existing adult literature.
Main Methods:
- A case series and chart review of 15 pediatric patients (<16 years) undergoing open nasal valve repair with cartilage grafting.
- Exclusion of patients with cleft-related nasal deformities.
- Review of indications, patient satisfaction, and complications within 90 days post-surgery.
Main Results:
- All 15 pediatric patients reported symptom improvement at 90 days or later.
- Indications included trauma, congenital deformity, iatrogenic injury, and hemangioma.
- One case of self-limited epistaxis occurred post-splint removal.
Conclusions:
- Open nasal valve surgery appears effective for treating nasal obstruction in children.
- Short-term outcomes in pediatric patients may mirror those in adults.
- Further research on long-term outcomes of pediatric nasal valve surgery is warranted.
Objectives:
To examine the short-term outcomes and complications of open nasal valve surgery in children under 16 years of age.
Study Design:
case series and chart review study setting: an urban, tertiary, pediatric otolaryngology practice.
Methods:
Children under 16 years of age who had undergone nasal valve surgery with cartilage grafting for functional indications were identified. Patients with cleft-related nasal deformities were excluded. Charts were reviewed for indications and short-term outcomes (patient satisfaction and postoperative complications within the first 90 days). A literature review assessed prior outcomes in adult nasal valve patients.
Results:
Fifteen pediatric patients, 15 years old or younger, were identified as having undergone open nasal valve repair utilizing septal or auricular cartilage grafts. Patient age ranged from 6 to 15 years. Surgical indications were nasal obstruction with nasal valve stenosis related to either previous trauma (n=10), congenital deformity (n=3), iatrogenic injury (n=1) or hemangioma of infancy (n=1). All patients noted improvement of symptoms at the 90 day interval or later. There was one episode of self-limited epistaxis, which occurred on postoperative day 7 following splint removal.
Conclusions:
In children, an obstructive nasal breathing pattern may be caused by nasal valve collapse, which can be addressed with nasal valve surgery. This small series suggests that short-term results in children may be similar to those observed in the adult population. Pediatric nasal valve surgery outcomes have not been described previously; studies focused on long-term outcomes following pediatric nasal valve surgery are needed.
Level Of Evidence:
4.
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