Endoscopic Septoplasty in Conjunction with Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Abstract

Objectives. Septal deviation frequently coexistes with chronic rhinosinusitis. When endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is performed to treat chronic rhinosinusitis, it is possible that the septal deviation needs to be corrected too. Septal deviation is easily corrected simultaneously with ESS by endoscopic instruments. Methods. When ESS was indicated to treat chronic rhinosinusitis, symptoms of septal deviation such as nasal stuffiness were evaluated to decide if they caused sinonasal symptoms, or if they precluded the performance of ESS. If one or both of the above situations existed, the septal deviation was corrected concomitantly with ESS by endoscopic septoplasty. Results. Among 233 consecutive cases of chronic rhinosinusitis treated by ESS within a year, 81 (34.8%) received concurrent endoscopic septoplasty. After surgery, 75% of the patients who received concurrent septoplasty felt that their overall rhinosinusitis symptoms had improved, and 77% of the patients without concurrent septoplasty reported improvement. Complications of endoscopic septoplasty in this study included two cases of septal perforation and three cases of septal hematomas. Conclusions. Endoscopic septoplasty can simply and effectively correct septal deviation when performed simultaneously with ESS.