Closure of nasal septal perforations with a polydioxanone plate and temporoparietal fascia in a closed approach.

BACKGROUND: Septal perforation closure is still often invasive and complex, with relatively low closure rates.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to provide the first results of a case series of 20 patients with nasal septal perforations who underwent septal perforation repair by both an open and a minimally invasive technique by using a graft that consisted of temporoparietal fascia and a polydioxanone (PDS) plate without mucosal flaps. Between 2014 and 2016, we tested, for the first time, the feasibility of the insertion of this graft via a hemitransfixion incision at our institution. The rationale for the closed approach was to avoid any visible nasal scars. We reported our results of both approaches.

METHODS: The septal perforations were closed by insertion of a graft, which consisted of a 0.25-mm PDS flexible plate enveloped by temporoparietal fascia, into the perforation. The insertion of the graft was performed either via a columellar incision (open approach) or via a cosmetically advantageous hemitransfixion incision (closed approach) in an underlay technique. No attempts were made to close the perforation by mucosal flap rotation and/or advancement. Protective silastic sheeting to both sides of the perforation provided fixation to the graft while natural mucosal healing occurred over the perforation in the course of 3 to 8 weeks.

RESULTS: Eighteen of 20 perforations were closed by mucosa at the last follow-up. The mean follow-up was 8.7 months. Thirteen patients had surgery via the closed approach.

CONCLUSION: We showed, for the first time, that the insertion of a graft that consisted of a PDS flexible plate enveloped in temporoparietal fascia via a hemitransfixion incision was feasible and resulted in complete mucosal closure of nasal septal perforations in most patients. By performing the hemitransfixion incision, we avoided any visible nasal scars.