The inferior turbinate flap for closure of septal perforations

In 31 patients a symptomatic septal perforation was repaired using an inferior-turbinate flap originally described by Masing. In approximately 50% of the cases the perforation was closed for two-thirds or more. Postoperative scarring causing nasal obstruction or alar asymmetry occurred in 21% of the cases. Some specific symptoms such as epistaxis, whistling and frontal headache appeared to improve even after partial closure. However, the overall degree of satisfaction of the patients and the degree of closure of the perforation were related. Based on the results of this series the inferior-turbinate flap did not prove satisfactory for the closure of septal perforations.