Extracorporeal septoplasty: Role in correction of unilateral cleft nose

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the functional , aesthetic outcomes, and complications associated with extracorporeal septoplasty (ECS) while correcting moderate to severely deviated nasal septum in unilateral cleft lip and palate (CLP) patients. Materials and Method: Fifteen healthy adolescent and adult unilateral cleft lip and palate patients reporting for cleft rhinoplasty procedure to our department and consenting for the research protocol were taken up for study. Result: Mean duration of ECS was 40 minutes. Adequate cartilage graft from excess septum was available for aesthetic and functional requirements in 100% cases. Post-operatively, overall pain scale scores ranged from moderate to no pain. Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale scores were significantly low post-operatively in comparison to baseline values (pre – 46.67; 1st Post-operative month – 21.33, 3rdPost-operative month – 16, 6th Post-operative month - 15). The only Intra-operative complicationsnoted were mucosal tear (40%), haemorrhage (6.7%)with absolutely no early or delayed post-operative complications. According to modified-Asher – Mcdade index, nasal form, nasal profile and deviation of nose hadfair to good appearance throughout the case series. Conclusion: ECS is safe and versatile procedure to amply address the septal deformity in all dimensions and offers adequate septal cartilage from the excess septum in cleft nose that can be used as sole graft for all reconstructive requirements in rhinoplasty with improved aesthetics and no additional intra-operative time, cost and complications