Surgical Repair of Septal Perforations: Comparison of Pedicled Anterior
Ethmoid Flap vs. Temporalis Fascia Graft Techniques
Abstract
Abstract Background: Nasal septal perforations (NSP) cause a
variety of bothersome symptoms for patients, and when medical management
fails, surgical repair is indicated. Objective: This study examines the
efficacy of a NSP repair method utilizing superficial or deep temporal
fascia and a polydiaxonone (PDS) plate scaffold to the prior repair
method of a pedicled anterior ethmoid mucosal flap. Methods: A
retrospective review of patients who underwent NSP repair at a tertiary
academic medical center from 2016-2021. Results: The most common
etiologies for NSP were prior nasal surgery, digital trauma, and chronic
epistaxis. Compared to the previous repair group with local flaps, the
temporalis fascia and PDS plate group had significantly higher rates of
complete closure for perforations of all sizes and a lower incidence of
revision surgery. Patients also reported improved resolution of symptoms
after repair with this new method. Conclusion: The use of temporalis
fascia with a PDS plate is a promising surgical method for repair of
NSP, regardless of size or etiology. Keywords: septal perforation,
polydiaxonone, temporalis