Surgical correction of posttraumatic nasal deformities in adolescent athletes

Abstract

Nasal breathing is of great importance for professional athletes because of the peculiarities of carbon dioxide metabolism in the body. Problems with nasal breathing caused by post-traumatic deformities of the nose can be successfully corrected with the help of rhinoseptoplasty, but the possibility of performing this surgery on patients under 18 years of age is a discussed matter. This study aimed to analyze the results of the effect functional rhinoseptoplasty has on nasal breathing, consider rhinoseptoplasty as the preferred method of treatment for adolescents with post-traumatic deformities of the structures of the nose. The study involved 15 professional athletes aged 15–18 years with post-traumatic deformities of the external nose and troubled nasal breathing. Five of them (33.3%) were female, 10 (66.7%) were male; all underwent open rhinoseptoplasty. The NOSE and SCHNOS questionnaires were used to assess the symptoms of nasal obstruction before and after surgery. Post-surgery, all patients subjectively noted that their nasal breathing improved, which was confirmed by the filled questionnaires. There were no significant complications registered during the follow-up period. Functional rhinoseptoplasty is a viable surgical option for adolescents under 18 years of age.