Introduction:
Patients with septal perforations suffer from a spectrum of symptoms directly and
indirectly linked to the perforation. Many do not wish a surgical closure, surgery
has failed before or comorbidities discourage surgery.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to evaluate symptoms and the dynamics of the perforation
size over time after fitting an ISB.
Methods:
Prospective analysis of nasal symptoms with the modified SNOT-20 GAV. Items such as
“blocked nose”, “nosebleeding”, “whistling”, “nose pain”, “temperature-sensitivity”,
“foreign body sensation” and “change in perception of smell and taste” were added
for evaluation of specific symptoms. A plaster model in combination with a scanner
was used to measure the perforation.
Results:
169 patients with septal perforations were evaluated. 51 patients with an average
age of 57.7 years completed the questionnaire (53% male; 47% female). Except for the
symptoms “sneezing” and “ear pain” the SNOT-20 GAV showed a significant improvement
in 25 out of 27 evaluated items. The average perforation size of 158 perforations
was 164.9mm2. Except an increase in two cases (1.3%) and a decrease in one case (0.6%),
perforation sizes remained stable during the follow- up period of 4 years.
Conclusion:
This study demonstrates a significant increase in symptom-reduction in patients with
septal perforations after an ISB was fitted. Furthermore, we observed stable septal
perforation sizes over the observed period in most patients. Thus, fitting an ISB
is a viable alternative for patients unfit or unwilling for a surgical closure of
the septal perforation.
