Use of Intraoperative Template for the Reconstruction of Septal Replacement Graft

Anterior and caudal deviation of the septum can severely affect a patient's functional and cosmetic outcomes, especially seen in crooked noses. Hence, extracorporeal septoplasty is often performed where an L-shaped septal replacement graft replaces the septum to restore the functionality and aesthetics of the nose. Although an L-shaped graft can be reconstructed with the help of a caliper, the exact length and angulation between the two cartilages cannot be accurately assessed intraoperatively and preoperatively and the graft needs repeated modification. In contrast, an L-shaped template can be easily made from a wrapper of suture material and can be customized to make the neoseptum. The cartilage graft can be exactly matched to the template, which can later be successfully used as a neoseptum. We have documented using the intraoperative template to make an accurate neoseptum in a crooked nose.Level of Evidence IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.