Objective: To compare endonasal and external septoplasty for type 2 caudal septal deviations in terms of operative time, aesthetic and functional outcome.
Study design: Descriptive Analysis.
Place and duration of study: ENT Department, Mayo Hospital/ K.E.M.U, Lahore, from October 2019 to October 2020.
Methodology: Record of patients operated for septal deviations in 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients, diagnosed with type 2 caudal septal deviations, were included; while those with marked inferior turbinate hypertrophy, deviated nasal septum after trauma, and those who could not be followed-up, were excluded. Twenty-eight patients, operated by external approach, were placed in group A; and 32 patients, who had endonasal surgery, were placed in group B. Functional outcome was assessed by nasal obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE) scale; and cosmetic deformity was assessed by visual analog scale (VAS) pre- and postoperatively at six months. Operative time was measured for both the groups.
Results: Sixty patients were included. Mean preoperative NOSE scale score for group A was 67.36 ± 8.07 and postoperative was 15.82 ± 3.62 (p<0.001). Mean preoperative NOSE score for group B was 69.40 ± 5.80 and postoperative it was 18.00 ± 3.75 (p<0.001). Mean VAS score for group A preoperative and postoperative was 18.93 ± 7.86 and 76.07 ± 6.85 (p<0.001), respectively. Mean VAS score for group B preoperative and postoperative was 19.69 ± 7.82 and 71.56 ± 8.84, respectively (p<0.001). Mean operative time for group B was 52.25 ± 3.37 minutes, and for group A 115.00 ± 9.91 minutes (p<0.001). The difference in preoperative and postoperative NOSE and VAS scores compared for both groups revealed p-value of 0.952 and 0.044, respectively.
Conclusion: Extracorporeal septoplasty resulted in better aesthetic outcome; though endonasal septoplasty had shorter operative time. Both surgical techniques resulted in good functional outcome. Key Words: Nasal septum, Nasal surgical procedures, Deviated nasal septum, Caudal deviation septum, Septoplasty, Septorhinoplasty, Nasal obstruction symptoms evaluation (NOSE) score, Visual analogue scale (VAS).