Abstract
Objectives:
(1) Describe a totally endoscopic-assisted technique for septoplasty. (2) Assess the outcomes of endoscopic-assisted technique according to subjective and objective criteria. (3) Compare the outcomes of the endoscopic-assisted approach with those obtained with the traditional headlight technique.
Methods:
This prospective, randomized, controlled trial was conducted from September 2010 to September 2013 at the ENT University Unit of the A. Fiorini Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome. A total of 160 patients undergoing surgery for septal deviation meeting strict inclusion/exclusion criteria were recruited. Patients were randomly assigned to either the endoscopic (Group A) or the conventional group (Group B). Endoscopic evaluation and anterior rhinomanometry were carried out pre- and postoperatively. Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale was used to measure the nasal obstruction before and after surgery. At the end of each procedure the junior residents compiled a 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS) which evaluated their overall understanding of the surgical procedure. Surgical times and complications were recorded.
Results:
All patients showed a significant improvement of nasal obstruction (P < .05) in both subjective and objective evaluation without a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups. The overall incidence of peri- and postoperative complications was significantly lower in Group A than in Group B (P < .05) without differences in surgical time. The VAS score regarding understanding of the surgical steps was significantly higher for endoscopic-assisted septoplasty (P < .001).
Conclusions:
The endoscopic approach represents a viable alternative to traditional headlight septoplasty. Furthermore, endoscopic-assisted septoplasty may be considered to be better than the traditional approach in a teaching perspective.
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