Outcomes after endonasal septoplasty using caudal septal batten grafting

Background: This study evaluated surgical outcomes after endonasal septoplasty using caudal septal batten grafting for caudal septal deviation. Methods: Fifty-six patients completed questionnaires to assess nasal obstruction by telephone interviews 8-63 months postoperatively (12.2 months on the average). In addition, patients assessed the severity of nasal symptoms (i.e., mouth breathing, mouth dryness, hyposmia, rhinorrhea, epistaxis, trouble sleeping, snoring, and being concerned about nasal problems) preoperatively and postoperatively using a visual analog scale (VAS). These VAS scores were compared with those of patients who underwent endonasal septoplasty using the cutting and suture technique. Complications were analyzed. Results: Thirty-four (60.7%) patients reported their nasal obstruction was much improved, 17 (30.3%) reported their condition was improved, and 5 (8.9%) reported no change postoperatively. Patients reported a decrease in severity of all nasal symptoms (p < 0.05 for each). Their nasal obstruction improvement was not significantly different from that of patients managed by the cutting and suture technique. Complications after surgery included hyposmia in two cases, small septal perforation in one case, chondritis in one case, and septal abscess in one case, and all were managed successfully. No patient required revision septoplasty due to recurrence during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Endonasal septoplasty using caudal septal batten grafting for caudal septal deviation resulted in improvement in nasal obstruction and nasal symptoms and was associated with an acceptable complication rate. (Am J Rhinol Allergy 25, e166-e170, 2011; doi: 10.2500/ajra.2011.25.3648)