[Regeneration of septal cartilage in children after septoplasty. A histological study].

In eight boys aged 6.3 to 11.7 years a septoplasty had been performed according to the technique of either Cottle or Goldman. Because of new nasal obstruction 1.2 to 3.9 years later a second septoplasty was carried out. In this operation, little pieces of cartilage were excised from the formerly resected base, middle, and columellaborder of the septum for histological examination. In all pieces a regeneration of the septal cartilage by appositional and interstitial growth could be found: in a smaller amount at the resected borders of the septal base, in a larger amount at the corrected borders of the septum in the columella and in the septal middle. These histological findings of a regenerative potential of surgically traumatized septal cartilage in children by conservative septoplasty can be compared with the experiences in the growing septum of rodents.