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Objectives: The aim of this study was to reveal the efficacy
of different nasal mucosal flap techniques in the repair of
nasal septal perforation.
Patients and Methods: Between April 2006 and May 2009
21 patients (12 males, 9 females; mean age 36.6±12.7 years;
range 17 to 60 years) with the complaints of nasal obstruction,
bleeding, crusting, whistling during inspiration, and pain
and in whom septum perforation was detected were operated
on and they were included in this study. The patients were
followed-up for an average of 16.9 months (3 to 35 months).
Cross-stealing technique was performed on 11 patients while
advancement flap was performed on three patients and rotation
flap was performed on seven patients. Patients were
followed-up for at least three months before the evaluation of
the postoperative results.
Results: Complete closure was observed in 16 out of 21
patients (76.2%) and partial closure in one patient (4.8%).
In four patients (19%) perforation was not closed and its
size remained unchanged.
Conclusion: In the literature, many different surgical techniques
have been described for the repair of nasal septal
perforation. The main aim of the repair is not only the closure
of perforation but also the restoration of normal function and
physiology in the nose. In order to achieve this, the most
physiologically and anatomically suitable method is the closure
of nasal septal perforation with three layers composed
of two mucoperichondrial flaps and one interpositional graft.
Although cross-stealing technique may be an anatomically
and physiologically feasible option for the closure of smallmiddle
sized perforation located anteriorly, the highest success
rates are obtained with advancement and rotation flaps
when the location and size of perforation are considered.