An approach to the nasal septum in children

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Pediatric Surgery
• Plastic Surgery

Background:

• Nasal septal surgery in children has historically been avoided due to concerns about facial growth.
• Limited access to the nasal septum in pediatric patients poses a surgical challenge.
• Recent evidence suggests safe septal cartilage preservation during pediatric septoplasty is possible.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of sublabial septoplasty in pediatric patients.
• To assess the impact of sublabial septoplasty on nasal growth and development.
• To determine if this approach avoids external cosmetic deformities.

Main Methods:

• Sublabial septoplasty was performed on ten patients aged 4 to 9 years.
• Nasal septal cartilage was preserved using morsalization and repositioning techniques.
• Postoperative follow-up included monitoring for nasal deformity and growth for up to 60 months.

Main Results:

• The sublabial approach provided complete access to the nasal septum without external incisions.
• All ten patients tolerated the procedure well, with preserved septal cartilage.
• No evidence of nasal deformity or growth alteration was observed during the follow-up period.

Conclusions:

• Sublabial septoplasty is a safe and effective surgical option for severe pediatric nasal septal deformities.
• This technique ensures preservation of septal cartilage, crucial for nasal development.
• The sublabial approach is cosmetically advantageous, avoiding visible scarring.