Complications of septal surgery

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Rhinology
• Surgical Complications

Background:

• Submucous septal resection and septoplasty are common procedures to correct nasal septum deviations.
• Complications can arise from diagnostic inaccuracies, technical surgical errors, and postoperative infections.
• Damage to nasal tissues can lead to functional and aesthetic deficits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the origins and types of complications associated with septal surgery.
• To highlight the impact of these complications on nasal function, cosmesis, and general health.
• To emphasize the scarcity of prospective studies evaluating septal surgery outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Review of potential complications based on anatomical analysis and functional test interpretation.
• Analysis of technical failures during surgical incision and septal reconstruction.
• Consideration of early and late complications, including infections and tissue damage.

Main Results:

• Complications are frequently linked to incorrect indications, flawed diagnoses, and incomplete anatomical assessments.
• Technical surgical errors, from incision to reconstruction, are significant sources of complications.
• Postoperative infections and damage to septal soft and hard tissues contribute to both early and late adverse events.

Conclusions:

• Septal surgery complications can adversely affect nasal function, facial aesthetics, and overall patient health.
• A thorough understanding of nasal anatomy and function is crucial for accurate diagnosis and surgical planning.
• There is a critical need for more prospective studies with objective and subjective data to better understand and manage these complications.