The management of nasoseptal perforation

The most recent comprehensive review of the literature on repair of nasoseptal perforations dates back to 1985; since then there have been developments in the repair of very large perforations, previously thought to have been untreatable by surgical methods. The purpose of this article is to review the various methods which have been used to repair perforations, and their reported efficacies, with particular reference to the problem of large perforations. The article reviews the methods in use for providing mucosal cover for perforations; the options for a supporting layer; and the more recent solutions to mending perforations greater than 4 cm diameter. In conclusion, nasoseptal perforations of up to 4 cm diameter have been reported to be closed reliably with bilateral mucoperichondrial flaps and a connective tissue autograft. However, for larger perforations the only methods successfully used have been a three stage, composite graft and intranasal tissue expanders. (C) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.