Fashioned Mucoperichondrial Flap Technique Versus Fishing Line Technique in the Repair of Septal Dislocation: A Prospective Comparative Study

Abstract

Background A nasal septal dislocation is a common form of septal deviation with many challenges and different surgical techniques for correction. Objective To assess the efficacy of fashioned mucoperichondrial flap technique versus fishing line technique in the repair of septal dislocation. Methods The study was a prospective comparative cohort study conducted on 88 patients aged above 18 years who have symptomatic mild to moderate caudal septal dislocation spanning the period from June 2021 to June 2022. Preoperatively, all patients were evaluated by the Nasal Obstruction and Septoplasty Effectiveness (NOSE) scale to assess the degree of nasal obstruction. Anterior rhinoscopy and endoscopic examination of the nose were done for every patient to assess the degree of obstruction, whether mild, moderate, or severe. Outcomes included an assessment of both techniques’ efficacy in managing nasal obstruction as expressed by the NOSE scale and comparing both techniques regarding the operative and postoperative details. Results The current study showed a highly significant improvement in the NOSE scale postoperatively in both groups ( P < .00001 for both groups). The mean operative duration for group I was significantly less than that for group II ( P < .00001). There was a nonsignificant difference between both groups regarding the postoperative NOSE scale, and postoperative degree of obstruction ( P = .066 and .56, respectively). Regarding postoperative complications, there was a nonsignificant difference between both groups except for patient discomfort as assessed 1 week postoperatively. Group II showed significantly more patient discomfort ( P = .02), which improved 4 weeks postoperatively. Conclusion Both techniques presented in this study effectively corrected mild and moderate caudal septal dislocation with significant improvement of nasal obstruction postoperatively. Both techniques produced good esthetic outcomes and were associated with few comparable complications in both groups.