Objective and subjective evaluation of operation success in patients with nasal septal deviation based on septum type

The present study was performed to compare postoperative success and patient satisfaction among patients with septum deviation according to deviation type.

Eighty-six patients with septal deviation were recruited and divided according to six deviation types as defined previously. Patients were followed up for a mean duration of 6.3 ± 0.9 months. All patients were individually examined by nasal endoscopy and paranasal computed tomography. The tests applied included a visual analog scale (VAS), The Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale, acoustic rhinometry (AR), rhinomanometry (RMM), and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF).

All groups showed significant improvement in VAS scores postoperatively (p = 0.0001). All groups showed a significant decrease in NOSE scale scores postoperatively. PNIF values of all groups increased postoperatively (p < 0.05). AR values of narrow cavities in all groups increased postoperatively, but this increase was observed only for wider cavities in groups 2, 4, and 6. RMM values were higher in the narrow cavities in types 2, 4, and 6 postoperatively, whereas only types 4 and 6 had higher values in the wider cavities.

Patients with septal deviation types 2, 4, and 6 benefited most from septal surgery. These deviation types yielded higher levels of postoperative amelioration and patient satisfaction in terms of quality of life.