Presenting Symptomatology for Patients With Nasal Septal Perforation: Application of the NOSE‐Perf Scale

Quality of Life in Symptomatic Septal Perforation

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of septal perforation (SP) on quality of life (QoL). SP is compared to the general population and patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) using the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT-22).

METHODS

Prospective single-center study in a referral Rhinology Unit from January 2014 to March 2023.

RESULTS

A total of 392 patients were included in three groups: controls (n = 141), CRSwNP (n = 118), and SP (n = 133). The mean score of the SNOT-22 was significantly higher in the CRSwNP group (42.4, SD = 24.4) and SP (46.5, SD = 22) compared to the control group (6.2, SD = 8.4). Scores by either items or domains were significantly higher in the CRSwNP and SP groups compared to the control group. There were no significant differences in the mean SNOT-22 between the CRSwNP and SP groups (p = 0.26; 95% CI -1.68-9.99). Domain-specific analysis of overall SNOT-22 scores revealed that patients with SP experienced higher levels of disturbances in sleep, function, and psychological domains (p ≤ 0.001).

CONCLUSION

SP produces a negative impact on QoL similar to CRSwNP. Moreover, sleep, psychological, and function domains are significantly worse in SP. Etiology and area of SP influence nasal and emotion domain, though more studies on SP using SNOT-22 and specific questionnaires are needed.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3 Laryngoscope, 134:4480-4487, 2024.

Nasal Septal Perforation Dimensional Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To describe and illustrate septal perforation shape through the documentation and analysis of length and height measurements. A secondary objective is to correlate perforation size to surgical and nonsurgical etiologies.

STUY DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

SETTING

Tertiary academic medical center.

METHODS

Length and height of consecutively treated perforations over a 3-year period were measured directly or through computed tomography. Mean differences in length and height measurements were compared and regression analysis used to determine perforation shape and the effect of etiology on perforation size. Perforations were classified by length into small (1-5 mm), medium (6-15 mm), and large (>15 mm) and correlated to shape and etiology.

RESULTS

One hundred twenty-four patients (mean age 50.4 years, 60.5% female) met study inclusion criteria. Height was less than length in 93% of perforations 5 mm or greater in length. Mean perforation height was significantly less than length for medium and large perforations (P < .001). Mean length and height measurements of nonsurgical perforations were greater than those for surgical perforations (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Height is less than length in over 90% of septal perforations. Most perforations assume an elliptical shape as they enlarge. Accurate measurement and presentation of length and height is relevant information to perforation management decisions and for the evaluation of treatment outcomes.

Septal Perforation Quality of Life questionnaire (SEPEQOL): validation of a new instrument to assess patients undergoing endoscopic repair of a nasal septal perforation

PURPOSE

Nasoseptal perforations (NSP) are a clinically heterogeneous group of disorders with a wide range of available treatments. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) can provide valuable insights for assessing clinical and surgical outcomes. This study aims to develop and validate a novel-specific questionnaire for patients with NSP.

METHODS

A multi-centre prospective observational study was conducted at two tertiary referral hospitals. "Septal Perforation Quality of Life" (SEPEQOL) was developed by a committee of experts. The psychometric properties, including reproducibility, reliability, validity, and responsiveness, were assessed.

RESULTS

The study included 96 symptomatic NSP patients and 30 healthy controls. SEPEQOL internal consistency was satisfactory [Cronbach´s α = 0.7843; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.702-0.856]. Test-retest reliability was excellent, demonstrated by the absolute intraclass correlation (ICC = 0.974; 95% CI, 0.935-0.989, P-value < 0.001) and Bland-Altman plot (line bias = 1.6 ± 4.57; 95% CI -0.54-3.74, P-value < 0.001). The mean total SEPEQOL score was higher before surgery (25.16 ± 1.65) compared to 6-months after the procedure (13.72 ± 11.39), with a mean difference of 12.19 [standard deviation (SD) 10.76], P-value < 0.001.

CONCLUSIONS

SEPEQOL is reliable, consistent, valid, and sensitive to change over time. SEPEQOL assesses the impact of health-related quality of life on NSP and its management in clinical practice. Moreover, it is easy to apply in clinical settings with minimal burden.

Translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of the NOSE-Perf scale to Brazilian Portuguese

OBJECTIVE

To perform the translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of the NOSE-Perf Scale to Brazilian Portuguese.

METHODS

This study was divided into two stages. In the first stage, the questionnaire was submitted for translation and cultural adaptation, following the guidelines recommended by the ISPOR Task Force (International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research). Then, the Brazilian Portuguese version of the NOSE-Perf scale was applied to a group with septal perforation and a control group. The group with perforation answered the questionnaire again after one month. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and discriminant validity were assessed.

RESULTS

The Brazilian Portuguese version of the NOSE-Perf scale was applied to 32 participants, 16 from the group with septal perforations and 16 controls. The instrument obtained high internal consistency, with Cronbach's alpha scores of 0.986. High reliability was also obtained, with Spearman's correlation coefficient of 0.996 (p < 0.001) and the intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.965 with a 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) of 0.886‒0.988. The NSP group obtained a mean total score of 13.8 ± 12.6 and the control group a score of 2.3 ± 1.8, with a statistical difference between the groups (p < 0.001), demonstrating good discriminant validity.

CONCLUSION

The Brazilian Portuguese version of the NOSE-Perf scale is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring symptoms in patients with nasal septum perforations.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 2-Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine 2011 Levels of Evidence.

Adaptation and validation of the Spanish version of NOSE-Perf questionnaire for septal perforations

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Septal perforation (SP) cause heterogeneous symptoms depending on the anatomical location, highlighting scabs, nasal obstruction and/or epistaxis. The use of questionnaires to determine the quality of life in different pathologies is increasing in sinonasal pathologies and in patients with SP the NOSE-Perf questionnaire was constructed, currently validated in English. The aim of this study is the translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and validation of the NOSE-Perf questionnaire into Spanish.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Prospective single-centre study of 81 patients (38 with SP and 43 controls), visited in the rhinology section of a tertiary hospital. Adaptation and translation NOSE-Perf into Spanish and validation using the NOSE and NOSE-Perf questionnaire in Spanish.

RESULTS

Significant differences were found in the mean NOSE-Perf score and in the mean NOSE score (IC95% = 21.2-26.9; p < 0.001 and IC95% = 53.8-70.5; p < 0.001) between SP group and control group. Pearson's correlation between the two questionnaires NOSE-Perf and NOSE in the SP group was 0.74 (95% CI = 0.56-0.86; p < 0.001). In the control group it was r = 0.85 (95%CI = 0.73-0.91; p < 0.001). Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the NOSE-Perf was 0.95 (IC 95% = 0.93-0.96) for internal consistency. The reliability evaluation was carried out by test-retest, and a strong Pearson correlation was obtained between the questionnaires r = 0.94 (CI95% = 0.85-0.97; p < 0.001) and r = 0.89 (95%CI = 0.77-0.95; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The Spanish version of the NOSE-Perf is as reliable and valid as the English version, which makes it possible to assess the impact on quality of life that it causes in patients with perforations in the Spanish-speaking population.

Validated Symptom Outcomes Following Septal Perforation Repair: Application of the NOSE-Perf Scale

OBJECTIVE

The Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE)-Perf scale was developed and validated to measure symptoms associated with nasal septal perforations. This study reports the application of the NOSE-Perf scale to evaluate symptom change following septal perforation repair.

METHODS

Patients with NOSE-Perf evaluations ≥6 months following attempted perforation closure from July 2018 to December 2021 utilizing bilateral nasal mucosal flaps with an interposition graft were eligible for study inclusion. Change in NOSE-Perf scores were noted. Patient demographics, perforation size, and concurrent functional procedures were analyzed for impact on symptom outcomes.

RESULTS

One-hundred and seventeen patients met the study criteria. Seventy-nine (67.5%) of the patients were female and the mean (range) age at surgery was 47.3 (14-78) years. Repair failure was noted in 7 (6.0%) patients. Mean (SD) preoperative NOSE-Perf score was 25.3 (95% CI, 23.5-27.1) and postoperative score was 7.9 (95% CI, 6.5-9.3). Minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was estimated and greater than 91% of patients had improvement above this threshold. Patient age, perforation size, or concurrent functional procedures did not impact outcomes. Postoperative scores at short (2-4 months), intermediate (5-8 months), and long-term (≥9 months) time periods showed significant improvement (all p < 0.001) compared to preoperative NOSE-Perf scores.

CONCLUSION

Significant reduction in nasal symptoms as measured by the NOSE-Perf scale is noted following bilateral mucosal flap repair. Although the nose does not completely normalize following repair, clinically important improvement was noted in at least 91% of patients. The NOSE-Perf scale is positioned to play a role in the standardization of septal perforation evaluation and outcomes assessment.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 134:3067-3072, 2024.

The "fascia taco" for nasal septum perforation closure-A retrospective Cohort study on success rates and patient reported outcomes

Objective

Nasal septum perforation (NSP) is a common condition affecting ~1.2% of the general population and is still considered challenging to treat. Therapeutic strategies range from conservative local treatments and septal button closures to over 40 different surgical approaches. This study aimed to present a novel secure approach.

Methods

We describe our novel and unique NSP closure approach using a "fascia taco," in which conchal cartilage is enveloped by temporalis fascia like a taco and splints are left in place for 6-8 weeks. A review of patient charts was conducted and questionnaires including the German-SNOT-22 and D-NOSE were sent by mail to all eligible patients who received a fascia taco between 2016 and 2021.

Results

Thirty-three patients were identified. The questionnaire response rate was 54.5%. The mean operative time (cut to sew) for all patients who only underwent NSP closure was 90.4 min. The overall success rate in terms of postoperative NSP closure was 81.8%. We found an apparent but nonsignificant association between closure failure and smoking (failure rate 66.6% in smokers vs. 15.4% in nonsmokers; X 2 = 3.4188, p = .064). Questionnaire analysis showed a significant postoperative reduction of mean values in D-NOSE from 60.8 to 33.1 (p = .009) and in German-SNOT-22 from 38.6 to 21.2 (p = .005).

Conclusion

The fascia taco technique is an easy-to-apply, safe procedure for NSP closure that is short in duration and associated with a low morbidity, resulting in excellent patient satisfaction.

Level of Evidence

4.

Septal Perforation Repair Quality of Life Outcomes Using the Revised 15-item Glasgow Benefit Inventory

BACKGROUND

The 18-item Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) has been widely used to measure patient general health response to otorhinolaryngologic and facial plastic interventions. The GBI was recently reorganized into 15 questions with 5 sub-scale factors (GBI-5F) to improve its utility. Application of the GBI-5F to septal perforation treatments may improve our understanding of quality of life outcomes.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL

The GBI was given to patients seen from August 2018 through October 2021 who were at least 6 months postoperative attempted perforation surgical closure using bilateral nasal mucosal flaps with an interposition graft. Original GBI and GBI-5F scores were computed and subgroup analysis performed in this retrospective medical record review.

RESULTS

Of the 98 patients (mean age 45.5 years) who met study criteria, 65 were female. Mean perforation length was 12.9, and height 9.7 mm. The mean postoperative time to GBI completion was 12.7 months. Highest GBI-5F scores were noted in the Quality of Life factor, followed by Self-confidence and Social Involvement. Females reported significantly higher scores than men. Total GBI scores were similar to those recorded for other rhinologic procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

The GBI-5F provides measurable insight into patient quality of life benefit following septal perforation repair.