Clinical Practice and Outcome of Septoplasty-A Retrospective Study of 11,714 Surgeries in Sweden 2014-2023

Although septoplasty is frequently performed in patients with nasal obstruction, studies on clinical practice and real-life outcomes are sparse. This study aimed to describe the clinical practice, characteristics of septoplasty patients, patient-reported outcomes and complications, as well as predictors for a successful outcome in a comprehensive national longitudinal database.

All patients, > 18 years of age, registered in the Swedish Quality Register for Septoplasty (SQRS) between 2014 and 2023 were included in the study (n = 11,714). A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to search for predictors of a successful outcome (i.e., no or mild self-reported nasal obstruction).

Clinical practice was influenced by the surgical unit. A successful outcome was reported in 59.9% of the patients. Predictors for a successful outcome were higher age, more recent surgery, unilateral subjective nasal obstruction, no nighttime nasal obstruction, and no smoking. Almost one in four patients reported a chronic complication from surgery after 12 months.

There is an unwarranted diversity in Swedish septoplasty practice, which illustrates a lack of knowledge of best practices. The patient-reported outcome, where only six of 10 patients had no or mild nasal obstruction at follow-up, indicates room for improvement.

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