Cartilage Sparing Septal Perforation Repair using Rotation Flaps and a Collagen Interposition Graft: A Case Series

Septal Perforations may be asymptomatic or can cause significant problems including nasal obstruction, crusting, bleeding, whistling and in severe cases a change in nasal shape and even pain.

The author would like to present a single surgeon case series of septal perforation repairs, managed using an endo-nasal technique, with no external scars. There were 54 consecutive cases between 2011 and 2017. The repair was carried out using mucosal rotation flaps with an interposition graft of porcine collagen matrix. Patients were grouped according to the size of the perforation as measured at the time of the surgery. The patients were then clinically followed up for 1 year, and the recorded outcome measures were: the success of the surgical repair and the patient reported symptoms.

Surgical success was 70% up to 1 cm diameter, 77% from 1 to 2 cm and 82% in perforations from 2 to 3 cm in diameter. No perforation over 3 cm in diameter was successfully closed. Patients were rendered asymptomatic even if the perforation was not closed in between 81% and 91% of patients up to perforations 3 cm in size. Over 3 cm in size 50% of patients reported being asymptomatic.

This technique is an effective and low morbidity option for patients with small to medium sized septal perforations. For perforations over 3 cm in diameter other options may be more suitable.