There are many options to treat nasoseptal perforations, from prosthetics ¹ to a number of different types of flaps with or without interposition of tissue. The literature shows the results often contradictory and rarely statistically significant. ^{2,​ 3}

To repair these perforations, I use a modified technique for hump removal with mucosal preservation. This can be done with an external or endoscopic approach. Both of these techniques need a good dissection of the mucosa and to suture without tension of the flaps.

For this technique, it is very important to know the anatomy of the septum. Review ▶ 3 to get greater insights about blood supply of the nose and nasal septum. Bilateral septal mucosal flaps are dissected in a submucopericodrial-mucopieriosteal plane from anterior to posterior and from superior to inferior, thus preserving the vascular supply of the posterior and superior portion of the septum.

The septal artery network comes from the septal artery that runs over the rim of the posterior choana after the division of the sphenopalatine artery at the level of the sphenopalatine foramen. These arteries run from posterior to anterior so they allow for a good dissection of the bilateral flaps ( ▶ Fig. 16.1a, b).

The system of the internal carotid artery with one of its branches, the ophthalmic artery, divides into the anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries, which also play a role in the vascularization of this flap.

16.2 Indications

The advancement of local flaps alone or combined with interposition of grafts techniques is suitable for small to moderate symptomatic septal perforations with good superior and inferior margins. ⁴

The main symptoms of nasal septal perforation that we find are crusting, epistaxis, and nasal obstruction, as in the literature. In our patients, these symptoms are worse due to the altitude (2,800 m) and lack of humidity.

Some patients may feel some relief with conservative treatment such as humidification, moisturizing ointments, and nasal saline irrigations; however, these measures have a limited and temporary effect. ⁵

Patients with active cocaine abuse, topical nasal vasoconstriction spray overuse (oxymetazoline), systemic disease (granulomatosis with polyangiitis), those who play contact sports, and those who have other similar conditions that impair a good vascular supply are not good candidates for this technique.

16.3 Surgical Technique

The bilateral mucosa flaps technique is based on the septal mucoperichondrial flap, which is insufficient for most of the nasoseptal perforations, and needs to be completed with lateral extension mucoperiosteal flaps in the floor and under the nasal bones. The use of endoscopes is mandatory for the dissection.

Lee et al ⁶ describe a similar endoscopic technique, but they dissect just one side and use temporalis fascia between the flaps.

16.3.1 Instrumentation

The instrumentation used for this technique is the same as for rhinoplasty when the open approach is used. If we choose the endoscopic approach, a 0-degree endoscope is the standard for mucosal dissection. A 30- or 45-degree endoscope is useful for the lateral extension of the dissection under the nasal bones and in the floor of the nose under the inferior turbinate. For the mucosa edges, a polyglactin (Vicryl) 5–0 is used for suturing.

16.3.2 Technique

Step 1

Local and General Anesthesia

All the patients are operated on under general anesthesia to obtain complete amnesia, analgesia, and sedation. The local anesthesia protocol that we use is as follows:

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  Lidocaine 2% in combination with epinephrine 1:200,000

  
  
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  Oxymetazoline 0.050% embedded in two neurosurgeon pledges

A 27-gauge needle with a 5-cc syringe is used to infiltrate the local anesthetic in the subperichondrial-subperiosteal plane where there is cartilage or bone, and between both mucosa where there is no cartilage or bone. This usually happens around the perforation, especially in the case of postseptoplasty patients. In these patients in whom the loss of cartilage and bone is bigger than the perforation, it is very useful to put the local anesthetic in the right plane to help us with the dissection.

We begin the infiltration in the posterior part of the nasal septum and then we continue with small amounts of local anesthetic anteriorly. This helps us to avoid bleeding in the area of injection.

Finally, we inject the floor of both cavities, under the nasal bones and superior lateral cartilages. Cottonoids are placed in each nasal cavity. At this time, the vibrissae are cut with a number 15 blade for maximum visualization during surgery.

Step 2

Approach

External approach: the same technique for open rhinoplasty could be used. Transcolumellar incision is performed, followed by marginal incisions with exposition of the nasal tip cartilages and the dorsum.

A dissection from the anterior septal border to the caudal border is then performed ( ▶ Fig. 16.2), at this time we have to cut the septum-lateral junction to have a good septal exposure.

In case of the endoscopic approach, we begin with the hemitransfixion incision until we find the submucoperichondrial plane.

Step 3

Dissection

This is the most important surgical step. After finding the submucoperichondrial-mucoperiosteal plane, we begin the dissection of the superior tunnel with the 0-degree endoscope and the Cottle elevator. As soon as we are in the right plane, the dissection is continued with the suction elevator.

The dissection is continued under the nasal dorsum and superior lateral cartilages. For a better visualization, the 0-degree endoscope is switched for the 30- or 45-degree telescope.

The lateral extended superior tunnel is created.

After the superior tunnel is complete, it is easy to continue with the inferior tunnel. For this purpose, the Cottle maxilla-premaxilla approach is used to dissect from the soft tissue lateral to the filtrum until we reach the pyriforme aperture and the floor of the nasal fossa. This step can be done using a headlight instead of scope. ⁷

At this time under endoscopic visualization, a 90-degree curved elevator is used to begin the dissection of the floor, and then a suction elevator is used to elevate the mucosa and extend the dissection laterally in the subperiosteal plane in the inferior meatus and under the inferior turbinate.

Finally, endoscopically with the 0-degree endoscope and with the sickle knife, we complete the dissection around the perforation, trying to preserve the mucosa ( ▶ Fig. 16.3). This step ends when the unified fossa lateral extension is obtained ( ▶ Fig. 16.4). If there is any septal deviation, we start the dissection in the concave side that is easier to dissect. The same technique is used in the contralateral side.

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