Inferior turbinate composite graft for repair of nasal septal perforation.

BACKGROUND

Repair of nasal septal perforations is one of the most challenging procedures in nasal surgery. The aim of this prospective clinical study was to determine the efficacy of using an inferior turbinate composite graft (ITCG) for the repair of nasal septal perforation.

METHODS

Between 2009 and 2011, 27 consecutive patients with nasal septal perforation underwent endoscopy-assisted, endonasal septal perforation repair by using an ITCG alone or in combination with bipedicled mucosal advancement flap.

RESULTS

Complete closure of the perforation was achieved in 24 of 27 (88.8%) patients, and incomplete closure was observed in 2 patients with medium-sized perforation and 1 patient with large perforation.

CONCLUSION

The ITCG technique provides three-layer repair of the defect under no tension in closure of small perforations located anteriorly, posterior perforations with mucosal atrophy, or previous unsuccessful surgical repair. In graft-depleted revision rhinoplasty cases with small-sized septal perforations, this technique provides a simple solution with autogenous grafts. In cases involving larger perforations, the ITCG technique can easily be combined with bipedicled flap and allows for more options to solve a challenging problem. Current data from this prospective study suggest that this surgical technique may be used in the repair of nasal septal perforation.