Prospective evaluation of nasal septal perforation repair with absorbable plate and temporalis fascia in early adolescent patients

Objectives

In the pediatric population, nasal septal perforations (NSP) are rare, and management is not well described. The use of various techniques has been reported in adults, including the use of interposition grafts, however this technique has not been described in the pediatric population.

Our hypothesis is that the closure rate using absorbable d-lactide and l-lactide (each 50 %), polymer (PDLLA) plates as interposition grafts with temporalis fascia for NSP repair in the pediatric population will be an effective method compared to previous techniques.

Methods

Chart review was performed on patients who underwent NSP repair before June 2021, results were compared to a prospective evaluation of an interposition plate graft for repair at a tertiary care children's hospital.

Results

Fifteen patients via previous techniques and 5 patients via PDLLA and fascia graft were reviewed. Etiology of perforations included 45 % idiopathic, 25 % traumatic, and 15 % iatrogenic. In the previous techniques group, 10 were male, mean (median) age 14.4 years (15.2). Average size of NSP was 12.6 mm ± 6.6 mm (SD). 14/15 (93 %) patients had resolution of symptoms at 10-week follow-up, and 2/15 (13 %) required repeat repair. Five prospective patients were repaired with a PDLLA and fascia interposition graft, 4 were female, mean (median) age 14.6 years (Nassif and Scott, 2021 Feb 1) [14]. Average size of NSP was 11 mm ± 2.2 mm (SD). 100 % had resolution of symptoms at 10-week follow-up, 0 needed repeat surgery. No significant difference was found in size of NSP or in need for repeat procedure (p > 0.05) between the groups.

Conclusion

Use of absorbable PDLLA interposition grafts with temporalis fascia for NSP repair in the pediatric population is effective at closing and resolving symptoms associated with NSP.