Nasal septal perforations: Our surgical technique

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper was to describe our surgical technique for the treatment of nasal septal perforations. STUDY AND DESIGN: We studied 31 patients with nasal septal perforation treated with an endoscope-assisted technique, based on a bilateral dissection of monopedicled mucosal flaps from the nasal fossa floor, sutured at the edge of the perforation previously unstuck, without any graft interposed between the two mucosal layers. RESULTS: In our experience with 31 patients, the use of this technique led to the persistent closing (with follow-up for at least one year) of 96.3% of the perforations smaller than 3 cm. CONCLUSIONS: Our technique has the advantage of an endonasal approach, without any external incision, and the use of monopedicled flaps from the nasal fossa floor without any graft interposition, avoiding any other surgical procedure and morbidity in the donor site of the graft. The use of nasal endoscopy permits superior precision in all surgical steps. SIGNIFICANCE: The high success rate in perforations smaller than 3 cm seems to confirm the effectiveness of this technique. (c) 2007 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. All rights reserved.