Abstract

Background: A deviated septum can be asymptomatic or can cause functional and cosmetic abnormalities. Septoplasty is the standard treatment offered for symptomatic deviated nasal septum. The technique of septoplasty has evolved over the decades, from forcible fractures and splinting to submucous resection, classical septoplasty done via Cottle’s premaxilla-maxilla approach and in the last two decades, the endoscopic septoplasty. Aim of the present study was to compare the conventional and endoscopic septoplasty at our tertiary hospital. Material and Methods: Present study was single-center, prospective, comparative, study, conducted in patients of 18-60 years age, of either gender, with symptomatic DNS with no other co-morbidities, posted for surgical treatment. 60 patients posted for DNS correction surgery were divided equally into two groups (n=30) by random selection, as group C (conventional septoplasty) and the group E (endoscopic septoplasty). Results: Majority of patients were male (61.67 %), from 19-30 & 31-40 years age group (21.67 % each). Age, gender & various associated lateral wall pathologies were comparable in both groups & difference was statistically not significant (p>0.05). In Conventional septoplasty Group, mean duration of surgery was 42.20 ± 5.81 minutes & in Endoscopic septoplasty Group, mean duration of surgery was 38.08 ± 6.72 minutes, mean duration of surgery between two groups & difference was highly significant (p - 0.001). Mean duration of surgery between two groups & difference was highly significant (p - 0.001). In Conventional septoplasty Group, major complications noted were U/L flap tear (20 %), bleeding (16.67 %), residual deviation (13.33 %) & septal hematoma (10 %). Incidence of complications between two groups & difference was statistically significant (p - 0.013). No incidence of septal perforation was noted in either group. Conclusion: Endoscopic septoplasty provides better illumination which helps intraoperatively to identify septal deviation accurately, reduces duration of surgery as well as reduced postoperative complications due to limited dissection and lesser trauma to septal cartilage.

Description