[Closure of nasal septum perforations by bridge flaps]

Abstract

Introduction: Treating nasal septum perforation is challenging from every point of view for patients who suffer from this condition. This article presents a general overview of this topic and describes an operative technique that very often enables closure of the perforation.

Materials and methods: A retrospective and descriptive study was performed on 92 patients who were surgically treated for nasal septum perforation. All patients were treated with the three-layer bridge flap technique for closure of the defect.

Results: In 98% of the patients, primary closure of the septum perforation was achieved immediately after removing the silicone sheets. The closure rate 18 months postoperatively was 93.8% (60 of the 64 patients who were examined postoperatively).

Conclusions: Success in closure of the septum perforation was greater than 90% with the 3-layer bridge flap technique. This technique can be performed using an endonasal approach and offers fewer complications in experienced hands. The limitation of this procedure is the height of the perforation.