Validated Symptom Outcomes Following Septal Perforation Repair: Application of the NOSE-Perf Scale

The Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE)-Perf scale was developed and validated to measure symptoms associated with nasal septal perforations. This study reports the application of the NOSE-Perf scale to evaluate symptom change following septal perforation repair.

Patients with NOSE-Perf evaluations ≥6 months following attempted perforation closure from July 2018 to December 2021 utilizing bilateral nasal mucosal flaps with an interposition graft were eligible for study inclusion. Change in NOSE-Perf scores were noted. Patient demographics, perforation size, and concurrent functional procedures were analyzed for impact on symptom outcomes.

One-hundred and seventeen patients met the study criteria. Seventy-nine (67.5%) of the patients were female and the mean (range) age at surgery was 47.3 (14-78) years. Repair failure was noted in 7 (6.0%) patients. Mean (SD) preoperative NOSE-Perf score was 25.3 (95% CI, 23.5-27.1) and postoperative score was 7.9 (95% CI, 6.5-9.3). Minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was estimated and greater than 91% of patients had improvement above this threshold. Patient age, perforation size, or concurrent functional procedures did not impact outcomes. Postoperative scores at short (2-4 months), intermediate (5-8 months), and long-term (≥9 months) time periods showed significant improvement (all p < 0.001) compared to preoperative NOSE-Perf scores.

Significant reduction in nasal symptoms as measured by the NOSE-Perf scale is noted following bilateral mucosal flap repair. Although the nose does not completely normalize following repair, clinically important improvement was noted in at least 91% of patients. The NOSE-Perf scale is positioned to play a role in the standardization of septal perforation evaluation and outcomes assessment.

4 Laryngoscope, 134:3067-3072, 2024.