Introduction:
The cause of spontaneous nasoseptal defects is still speculative in most cases today.
It was therefore interested, whether a defect in the nasal septum develops again in
the long term after an complete reconstruction of the nasal septum in the event of
spontaneous defects. For comparison, the long-term results for postoperative nasoseptal
defects should be used.
Methods:
From 2009 to 2013 the author performed a total of 294 nasoseptal reconstructions.
77 spontaneous and 135 post-operative defects (212 in total) could be examined or
interviewed by telephone. The nasoseptal defects were divided into four groups according
to their size. All operations were carried out as three-layer reconstruction according
to the extended bridge-flap concept according to Schultz-Coulon or with modifications
of this method. The follow-up period was between 5 and 9 years.
Results:
In total, 119 of the 135 postoperative nasoseptal defects (88,1%) could be completely
closed in the long term (spontaneous defects 87,0%). Small postoperative nasoseptal
defects could be completely reconstructed in the long term to 94,2% (spontaneous defects
95,8%), medium-sized postoperative defects of 94,5% (spontaneous defects 91,6%) and
large only 62,9% (spontaneous defects 64,7%). Almost all recurrence defects developed
within the first year after the reconstruction. After that, only a few recurrence
defects were observed.
Conclusion:
In both spontaneous and postoperative nasoseptal defects, the permanent success rates
of a complete closure do not differ significantly. The follow-up period after such
operations should be at least 1 year.
