Abstract
Difficulty in nasal ventilation is one of the most frequently occurring problems in
otorhinolaryngology and its correct diagnosis is the key step to solve it. The dysfunctions
in the valve area are a frequent cause of chronic nasal obstruction, though commonly
ignored. The objective of the study is to analyze the clinical and functional outcomes
in a group of patients with septal deviations and valve compromise treated with spreader
graft with endonasal approach. Thirty-five patients with septal deviation with compromise
of the internal nasal valve (INV; area II of Cottle), treated with spreader graft
and a minimum follow-up of 12 months, were included for analysis. Patients were evaluated
with video nasosinusal endoscopy, photography, the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation
(NOSE) questionnaire, and rhinomanometry (RM). Postoperative complications were recorded.
The results obtained in the pre- and postoperative NOSE scores showed significant
differences (p = 0.001), as also in pre- and postoperative RM tests (p < 0.001). Two complications were reported in the 35 patients; thus the complication
rate in our sample was 6%. The use of spreader grafts, with endonasal approach, as
nasal septum's tutors improved perpendicular septal deviations with compromise of
the INV (area II), reaching an effective functional improvement in the nasal airway,
with low rate of complications.
Keywords
nasal obstruction - internal nasal valve - endonasal approach - Spreader Graft - nasal
septal deviation
