Endoscopic repair of nasal septal perforation with acellular human dermal allograft and an inferior turbinate flap

Abstract

Nasal septal perforations present a distinct challenge to the otolaryngologist and a significant cause of symptoms to affected patients. Many surgical techniques for the repair of septal perforations have been described. Connective tissue autografts are commonly used as interpositional grafts between the septal flaps. Recently acellular human dermal allograft has been used with success. In total, 17 patients with symptomatic anterior nasal septal perforations that had failed conservative treatment underwent a closed endoscopic repair of their perforations with acellular human dermal allograft (alloderm) and an anteriorly based inferior turbinate flap; 13 patients had a successful closure of the perforation, two patients, despite initial success, re-perforated as a result of persistent crust picking and, in two patients, the graft failed. With appropriate patient selection and stringent postoperative care the authors consider this technique offers a good surgical outcome for the closure of septal perforations.