Pediatric Septoplasty: A Case Series Study

Background: The controversy of pediatric septoplasty exists. Septoplasty is an uncommon procedure in pediatric populations. Still, there is a lack of consensus about the age and extent of septoplasty in this age group. Moreover, delayed surgical correction of septal deviation may adversely affect normal nasal and facial growth. There is a recent trend toward major cartilage work in pediatric patients with severe septal deviation. The aims of this study are to evaluate the health-related quality of life in pediatric patients after septoplasty and to assess the early as well as the long-term outcomes of surgery. Ethical Approval: The Collegiate Committee for Medical Research Ethics approved the study with approval code CCMRE-MED-22-1 on 17/01/2022. It aligns with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards . Patients and methods: This case series study was conducted on 25 children (24 males and one female) who underwent septoplasty for severe symptomatic septal deviation. This assessment was done three months and 1-year post-operatively to assess the operation's effect on the quality of life and overall patient satisfaction. The follow-up was done utilizing NOSE and VAS scales and they were compared with pre-operative ones. In most cases, the cartilage was delivered, remodelled, and reinserted. Results: The mean age of patients was 8.5±3.8 years. There were 24 (96.31%) males and 1 (3.69%) females. The current study reveals significant differences in postoperative NOSE and VAS scores compared to pre-operative ones at three months and one year post-operatively with P-values <0.001. Synechia, infection due to crust formation, and residual deviation were the common complications in this study. Conclusion: The significant improvement in quality of life and the low complication rate justifies septoplasty in the pediatric age group in indicated cases, even if considerable cartilage work was needed.