The one-stage rhinoplasty septal perforation repair.

A combined septal perforation repair and rhinoplasty was performed in 20 patients (12 males, eight females; age range 16-36, mean age 29.6) presenting with septal perforations (size 1-4 cm) and external nasal deformities. The external rhinoplasty approach was used for all cases and the perforation was repaired using bilateral intranasal mucosal advancement flaps with a connective tissue interposition graft in between. The perforation was totally closed in 18 cases (90 per cent) with complete resolution of the pre-operative symptoms occurring in 16 (80 per cent). Cosmetically, 19 cases (95 per cent) were very satisfied with their aesthetic result. The exposure provided by the external approach proved to be very helpful in the process of septal perforation repair. Our results show that septal perforation repair could safely be combined with rhinoplasty and that some of the rhinoplasty manoeuvres used could even facilitate the process of septal perforation repair.