Mid-facial sagittal growth following resection of the nasal septum-vomer: a roentgencephalometric study in the domestic cat.

The surgical correction of nasal septal deviation observed in children is usually postponed until adult age presumably on the assumption of interference with facial growth. In order to elucidate this hypothesis, the entire basis of the cartilaginous nasal septum and vomer was extirpated in a group of growing domestic cats. The operation resulted in a basally unsupported septum being separated from the palatal halves by loose connective tissue. The sagittal mid-facial growth in these animals was then compared with that of sham-operated and unoperated controls. From measurements on lateral skull radiograms, taken at the start and end of the experiment, no difference in sagittal mid-facial development could be found among the three groups. The findings suggest that growth of the nasal septum/vomer, at least at its basal parts, is not involved in facial development during the period from infancy to adulthood.