Custom-made Septal Buttons in the Treatment of Nasal Septal Perforation

Introduction:

Septal perforations can be frustrating for patients and challenging for nasal surgeons, as surgical repair can be diffucult. Patients often suffer from nasal crusting, bleeding, whistling, nasal obstruction and pain. Unfortunatelly, the results of surgeries are unsatisfying, therfore the attention is concentrated on other therapeutic possibilities, such as septal buttons.

Methods:

The patiens with nasal septal perforation (independently of the cause of perforation) were included in the study between 2015 – 2017. CT scans of the nose were performed in all patiens and the buttons were made exactly according to patient's CT scan. Than the buttons were made from medical silicon by 3D printing technology. The advantage of individual custom-made buttom was, that the buttoms had correct size and shape according to the perforations. The application was usually done under local anesthesia with endoscope. The symptoms before insertion and 6 months after insertion of buttom were evaluated in all patients.

Results:

17 patients have been already treated with this this new therapeutic method, experiences were retrieving continuously. First results showed good therapeutic effect and fine tolerance of foreign body in the nasal septum. Majority of patients were satisfied and their symptoms are much milder in comparison with the situation without using septal buttom. We haven't noticed any dislocation of the button, even spontaneous or posttramatic.

Conclusions:

The therapy with 3D custom made septal buttons apears to be very effective and and promising therapeutic method in the treatment of septal nasal perforations. The results seems much better than results of surgical treatment.

Publication History

Publication Date:
18 April 2018 (online)