A review of 25-year experience of nasal septal perforation repair

OBJECTIVE: To report the long-term follow-up of 25 years of experience in 100 consecutive cases of septal perforation (SP) repair using the technique of the senior author (F.P.). DESIGN: From 1981 to 2006, a total of 100 consecutive patients were surgically treated and followed up for 1 to 10 years. The medical records of 68 of the patients were retrospectively examined. Outcomes were assessed based on comparison of the results of preoperative and last follow-up assessment of SP size and symptoms. The SP repair technique consists of subperichondrial/periosteal dissection, rotation of nasal mucosa for tension-free closure, with no mucosa incision if possible, and a multilayer closure with interposition graft. RESULTS: The most common symptoms were nasal obstruction (72%), crusts (50%), and epistaxis (31%). Previous nasal surgery was the pathogenetic factor in 39 cases (57%). Fifty-two patients (76%) presented with SPs measuring 1.0 to 3.0 cm in diameter. The internal approach was used in 54 cases (79%), and temporal muscle fascia and conchal cartilage were concomitantly used in 45 cases (66%). The great majority of patients (40 [59%]) received more than 5 years of follow-up. The success rate of closure was 97%. Two patients (3%) presented with reperforation measuring less than 1.0 cm in diameter. CONCLUSIONS: The senior author's SP repair technique is easily accomplished, provides good visualization, and is low in cost. Also, in our experience, the success rate of closure has been 97%.