Postoperative Septal Abscesses According to the Techniques of the Septoplasty

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recently, the swinging door and grafting techniques have been heavily used for straightening and holding the caudal septum. However, reconstructive septoplasties require more extensive dissection of septal structures. Extensive anatomical dissection and complicated procedures may affect the probability of postoperative bleeding and infection. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 141 consecutive patients who underwent septal surgeries from February 2013 to December 2015. The patients were classified into two groups according to surgical technique those who underwent submucous resection with or without endoscopy were classified as the “resection” group, while those who underwent the swinging door or batten graft technique were classified as the “reconstruction” group. The resection and reconstruction groups were matched using the propensity score. The incidence of postoperative septal abscesses (PSAs) was analyzed between the two groups. RESULTS: For the two groups, 36 patients were matched with 36 patients (11) using the propensity score. Of the 72 patients, PSAs developed in 5 patients (6.9%). One patient was in the resection group (2.8%), while the other four patients were in the reconstruction group (11.1%). However, the incidence of PSAs was not significantly higher in the reconstruction group according to Fisher's exact test (p=0.164). CONCLUSION: Reconstructive septoplasty resulted in more septal abscesses than resection, but the difference was not significant.