Iatrogenic Intraoperative Injury of the Hard Palate During Septoplasty: A Case Report and Literature Review

A rare complication of septoplasty is an iatrogenic hard palate injury. In this report, we present a case of a hard palate injury while performing a septoplasty in a 32-year-old male, which was detected and managed intraoperatively. Key features of our patient include a high-arched palate, open bite, and nasal obstruction due to a deviated nasal septum. Postoperative evaluation showed successful healing which was free from recurrences. A review of the literature for similar cases highlights the role of anatomical variations from patient to patient, detection times of the injury, and repair methods in the management of such an event. Nonetheless, it is vital for the patient to undergo thorough preoperative assessment and for the surgeon to exercise caution intraoperatively to prevent/manage this adverse event efficiently.