Late results of nasal septum injury in children

In the period 1973-1982 241 children with nasal injuries were treated in ORL Clinics in Prague-Motol. The pathological septal findings were confirmed at the time by rhinoscopy in 98 cases (40%). In these cases, deviation, subluxation, or fracture were found 73 times, subperichondrial abscess 12 times, and hematoma 13 times. At the time of control examination 2-10 years after the injury, the unfavourable effects of the injury on the septum or the nasal passage were confirmed. Deviation of the septum was found in 55% of children; bad or insufficient rhinomanometric values in 62%. The septal deviation was associated with snoring in 52%, with colds in 56%, and in 37% with bronchitis and sinusitis. It was found necessary to carry out surgical correction of the nasal septum in several children of the 10-12 year age group; rhinotomy was not deemed necessary in any case.