Severe deviated nose treatment: importance of preserving the dorsal septal remnant

To compare the surgical outcomes of modified extracorporeal septoplasty and anterior septal reconstruction for the management of the severe deviated nose.

In a prospective cohort study, we selected 86 patients referred for septorhinoplasty to a tertiary center in May 2015-April 2017 with a primary complaint of nasal obstruction and deformity. They had moderate-to-severe septal deviation and severely deviated noses, particularly in the dorsum. Forty-three patients underwent each procedure. The cohorts were age- and sex-matched, and were operated at a similar time point. Surgical outcome was assessed and compared using anthropometric measurement of photographs, acoustic rhinometry, and The Nasal Obstruction Septoplasty Effectiveness questionnaire (including a visual analog scale).

In all patients, MCA1 (initial minimum cross-sectional area) and MCA2 (minimum cross-sectional area after topical decongestion of the nasal mucosa), anthropometric angles (nasolabial, nasofacial and tip projection), and The Nasal Obstruction Septoplasty Effectiveness questionnaire significantly improved after surgery in both groups (p = 0001), with no significant difference in improvement between two groups. However, anthropometric angles and minimal cross-sectional area were better in anterior septal reconstruction group.

Both methods are effective in patients with a severely deviated nose for correction of deviation and obstruction. Anterior septal reconstruction is the preferable method in patients with more deviation.