Assessment of surgical outcomes of tongue in groove technique vs cartilage resection technique in management of caudal septal dislocation

Abstract

Background Caudal septal deviation is a major cause of nasal obstruction. This problem affects normal nasal breathing by narrowing the external valve area and the nasal valve angle, in addition to aesthetic deformity of the nose. Treatment of midseptal and posterior deviations is rather straightforward, but treatment of the caudal septal deviation can be a more challenging problem. Aim To assess the aesthetic and functional satisfaction for patients with tongue in groove technique vs cartilage resection technique in managing caudal septal dislocation. Patients and methods This is a prospective, cohort controlled study of 25 patients divided into two groups: group A consisted of 13 patients who underwent tongue in groove technique and group B consisted of 12 patients who underwent cartilage resection technique. Results In managing caudal end septal dislocations, both tongue in groove and cartilage resection techniques have valuable aesthetic and functional outcomes. Conclusion The tongue in groove technique has a better outcome as there is no residual postoperative caudal dislocation or sublaxation. Also, it is usually used in combination with other septoplasty maneuvers to achieve the desired functional and cosmetic result. The cartilage resection technique does not add any other incision or scar except for the same ones used for septoplasty.