Predictors of Success of Endonasal Septal Perforation Repair: A 10-Year Experience

Abstract

Background:

There is no consensus on optimal repair technique for nasal septal perforations (NSPs).

Objective:

To measure success rate and evaluate predictors of success for NSP repair.

Methods:

Medical records of patients who underwent NSP repair from 2010 to 2020 were reviewed. Included patients had at least 60 days of postsurgical follow-up. Surgical technique involves an endonasal approach; subperichondrial dissection with local flap mobilization; and multilayer closure using cartilage interposition graft, fascia graft, and mucoperichondrial flaps. A chi-squared test or Fisher exact test was used for statistical analysis.

Results:

Eighty-one repairs were performed with a closure rate of 86%. The median patient age was 46 years (range 13–77); 34.6% of perforations were ≥2 cm. Conchal (77.8%), rib (7.4%), or septal (7.4%) cartilage was used as graft material. A complication rate of 8.6% was reported. Perforation size or graft material had no impact on successful closure rate. Of patients with failed repairs, 55% had perioperative complications or conditions associated with poor healing.

Conclusion:

An endonasal approach for NSP repair showed a high success rate across diverse presentations; however, NSP repair was significantly more likely to be successful in patients without perioperative complications or pre-existing conditions associated with poor wound healing.