What are the causes of a perforated nasal septum?

A Novel Technique for Septal Perforation Repair: Fascia Lata Graft

BACKGROUND

Nasal septal perforation (NSP) is an anatomical defect involving the mucosa, cartilage/bone of the nasal septum, most commonly caused by septoplasty. Spontaneous healing of a perforated septum is rare; instead, it tends to worsen over time. Several surgical approaches have been described for NSP repair. In this study, the authors present a novel technique using only fascia lata graft for repairing NSP of various sizes.

METHODS

The authors conducted a retrospective study, including 23 patients who underwent NSP repair between January 2020 and January 2022. Grafts were harvested, and the perforation was accessed through an open rhinoplasty approach, followed by insertion and suturing of the graft.

RESULTS

The mean size of the septal perforations was 2.13 mm horizontally and 2.14 mm vertically. The mean follow-up period was 12 months. Complete closure of NSP was achieved in 21 out of 23 patients (91.30%). Among the cases, 17 were males (11.76%), and the age ranged from 20 to 43 years with a mean of 36.5. Eight cases (50%) were smokers. At 12 months postoperatively, 3 medium-sized NSPs were closed successfully, whereas 2 large NSPs did not achieve closure due to smoking.

CONCLUSION

The fascia lata technique for NSP closure is a safe and reliable approach with a high success rate, which should be considered for patients with NSP.

Endoscopic Repair of Nasal Septal Perforations With Fascia Lata

PURPOSE

Nasal septal perforation (NSP) consists of defects of mucosa, cartilage, and bone. Nasal septal surgery is by far the most common cause of NSP. Many surgical approaches have been described for NSP repair. In this study, the authors describe a novel technique for repairing all sizes of NSP using an only fascia lata graft.

METHODS

The authors implemented a retrospective study design. Seventeen patients who underwent NSP repair between January 2016 and January 2019 were included to the study. Entire nasal surgical steps were performed under endoscopic view, harvested fascia lata graft is placed in tympanoplasty fashion after all edges of perforation is elevated and implantation bed is prepared.

RESULTS

The mean size of the septal peforations were 18.52 ± 4.17 mm horizontally, 11.52 ± 3.42 mm vertically. The mean follow up period was 14.47 ± 9.5 months (range: 2-36). In 15 of the 17 patients, total NSP closure was achieved (88,23%).

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic close technique using fascia lata for nasal septal perforation closure is a safe and reliable technique with high success rate and it should be considered in patients with nasal septal perforation.

Pediatric nasal septal perforation

OBJECTIVE

1.) Describe demographic and clinical characteristics of pediatric nasal septal perforations (NSP), 2.) Analyze efficacy of treatment modalities in symptom management and resolution of pediatric NSP, 3.) Describe the surgical technique of external rhinoplasty with vascularized nasal septal flaps in the treatment of nasal septal perforations.

METHODS

IRB-approved retrospective chart review of pediatric patients ages 0-18 years with nasal septal perforations treated at a tertiary care pediatric otolaryngology practice. Demographic and clinical characteristics including gender, age, race, and presenting symptoms, and location, size, and etiology of perforation were collected. Outcomes including persistence of perforation and symptoms at 1 year and most recent visit were recorded. A total of 20 patients were included. Statistical analysis used Fisher's t-test for categorical variables and Wilcoxon rank-sum for continuous variables.

RESULTS

Median age was 167.5 months (1.5-221.0). The most common etiology was iatrogenic (40%), followed by button battery (20%). Thirty percent of patients underwent surgical repair. Fifty percent of patients who underwent surgical repair achieved closure of their perforation at most recent follow up.

CONCLUSION

Pediatric NSP is a challenging issue with limited literature to date. Iatrogenic causes (40%) and button batteries (20%) were the most common etiologies of nasal septal perforation in our study. We introduce an advancement in our center's surgical technique with a case illustration with repair via external rhinoplasty and bilateral vascularized nasal septal flaps. Future larger studies may further elucidate characteristics and treatment modalities associated with successful closure.

Nasoseptal Perforation: from Etiology to Treatment

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Nasal septum perforation (NSP) is a communication between the two nasal cavities. This review contributes to the better knowledge of NSP causes, diagnosis, and treatment.

RECENT FINDINGS

NSP prevalence is about 1%. Clinical presentation may range from absence of symptoms to the presence of bothersome sinonasal symptoms. NSP is more frequently caused by trauma or post-surgery, inflammatory diseases, and abuse substances. Conservative management (nasal irrigation, topical use of antibiotic or lubricant ointments, or placement of prosthesis) is considered the first-line treatment. Symptomatic NSP not improving with local therapies usually requires surgical approach. Selection of the technique for the endoscopic septal repair depends on perforation characteristics and surgeon experience. When NSP is diagnosed, its cause has to be promptly determined. Most of them can be controlled with conservative measures. Surgical/endoscopic approaches are usually needed in refractory cases, and new repair techniques have to be considered.

Unilateral Inner Mucoperichondrium Flap From Upper Lateral Cartilage and Inferior Mucosal Advancement Flap Technique for Repair of Septal Perforations

BACKGROUND

Many surgical technique have been described for repair of nasal septal perforations with different success rates. This study aimed to describe authors' surgical technique and discuss its results as well as those reported in the literature.

METHODS

Nineteen patients with nasal septal perforation were operated on between March 2009 and February 2015 at Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty. The technique described in this article, closure of the perforation with unilateral upper lateral cartilage inner mucoperichondrial flap and inferior meatal advancement flap is an alternative surgical technique.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients with symptomatic nasal septal perforation were operated with this technique. All surgical procedures were performed by the same surgeon. Neither intraoperative nor postoperative major complications were observed in any patients. Preoperative and postoperative symptom scores for nasal obstruction, epistaxis, nasal discharge, crusting, whistling, snoring, and olfactory loss as well as overall discomfort levels were compared using a visual analog scale. Complete closure of the perforation was achieved in 18 patients (95%).

CONCLUSIONS

Small and large perforations may be reliably closed with this technique. Also, this technique can be easily applied via closed or external approach.

Upper lateral cartilage composite flap for closure of complicated septal perforations

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

To present a novel technique for the repair of large complicated nasal septal perforations using an upper lateral cartilage composite flap.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a case series of five patients with large septal perforations seen at an academic tertiary care center, who have failed previous treatment measures and were selected to undergo this novel reconstruction for closure of their defects.

METHODS

Patients were followed clinically to determine the success of the repair. Pre- and postoperative photographic documentation is presented, as well as a description of the surgical technique.

RESULTS

All patients were found to have large septal perforations exceeding 2 × 3 cm in size. The reconstructed septal perforations remained closed for the duration of follow-up. There were no long-term complications related to this technique.

CONCLUSIONS

The composite upper lateral cartilage flap is an effective and reliable means of repairing large and complicated septal defects with respiratory mucosa recruited from the nasal cavity. It may be considered in revision cases prior to entertaining regional extranasal flaps or the use of septal buttons.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4. Laryngoscope, 127:1767-1771, 2017.

Repair of nasal septal perforation using inferior turbinate graft

OBJECTIVE

Nasal septal perforation can cause troublesome symptoms. Surgical repair is indicated in symptomatic patients. Many approaches and techniques have been described, each with its advantages and indications.

METHOD

The study included six patients with symptomatic nasal septal perforations sized 1-2.5 cm horizontally by 0.5-1.5 vertically. Patient symptoms included nasal crusts (all patients), nasal obstruction (five), cacosmia (three) and recurrent epistaxis (three). Patients underwent endonasal endoscopic repair using an inferior turbinate free graft applied between the mucoperichondrium of both septum sides. Follow up ranged from six months to two years.

RESULTS

Five patients (83 per cent) had complete perforation closure and one had partial closure. All patients were symptom-free post-operatively.

CONCLUSION

This endoscopic endonasal approach, using an inferior turbinate free graft, is effective in closing small and medium-sized nasal septal perforations.

12 minute consultation: a patient with nasal crusting

BACKGROUND

Nasal crusting is frequently encountered by the otorhinolaryngologist and often requires no specific treatment. It is, however, important to carry out a full history and examination, followed by appropriate investigations, in order to detect the small number of cases in which crusting is caused by systemic or malignant disease.

METHODS

This review was based on a literature search last performed on 30th July 2009. The MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched using the subject headings (nasal crusting OR crusts) and in combination with diagnosis, therapy and surgery. Similar searches were performed for relevant diseases, e.g. Wegener's granulomatosis, sarcoidosis. Results were limited to English language articles including clinical trials, meta-analyses, systematic reviews and review articles. Relevant references from selected articles were reviewed.

RESULTS

Knowledge of the causes of nasal crusting will help to target the history, examination and investigation of patients with this condition. Screening tests for systemic conditions can be useful but most have limited sensitivity and must be interpreted cautiously. Nasal septal biopsy is indicated when there is a suspicion of malignancy, or to support a suspected diagnosis of vasculitis. The treatment offered depends upon the cause of crusting and the severity of symptoms.

CONCLUSION

A careful and thorough history and examination, and targeted investigation, of the patient with nasal crusting will ensure correct diagnosis and treatment of patients with this common condition.

Pathophysiology and progression of nasal septal perforation

OBJECTIVE

To review the prevalence, causes, and treatments of nasal septal perforation (NSP).

DATA SOURCES

A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE to identify peer-reviewed articles related to NSP using the keywords nasal septal perforation and septal perforation for articles published between January 1, 1969, and December 31, 2006, and references cited therein.

STUDY SELECTION

Articles were selected based on their direct applicability to the subject matter.

RESULTS

Causes of NSPs include piercings, exposure to industrial chemicals, illicit drug use, intranasal steroid use, surgical trauma, bilateral cautery, and possibly improper use of nasal applicators. Prevalence is poorly reported. Mechanisms of substance-induced NSP formation are not understood. Progression from epistaxis to ulceration to NSP could not be substantiated by the literature.

CONCLUSION

Depending on the patient, NSP may be viewed as desirable (nose rings), problematic (whistling, congestion), or inconsequential. Understanding the pathogenesis of NSP is important for the practicing physician required to make decisions about whether to recommend surgical correction or medical treatment. Although the etiology of NSP is overwhelmingly iatrogenic, there is an association with a number of medical diseases in addition to use of illicit drugs and/or prescription nasal sprays.