Publication:

A comparative study of endoscopic verses conventional septoplasty

Background Septoplasty is the surgical procedure for the correction of a deviated nasal septum. It can be achieved either with an endoscopic or a conventional approach. Endoscope allows better visualization and magnification, helps in enhancing surgical procedure accuracy and there is also no need for overexposure, excessive septal anatomy manipulation, osseocartilaginous disarticulation of the nasal septum and further resection.  Endoscopic septoplasty is not only used to address symptomatic nasal obstruction, but also to improve visualization in sinus surgery. This study was conducted to compare intra operative bleeding of the two techniques in treatment of deviated nasal septum.

Methods The present study was conducted in the department of otorhinolaryngology, Prince Mohammed hospital and Aseer central hospital. The study was conducted in 30 patients having symptomatic DNS, in the age group of 18-50 years after obtaining their consent. The patients were randomly divided into two groups of 15 patients each. Group A (n=15) underwent endoscopic septoplasty and group B (n=15) underwent conventional septoplasty under general anesthesia. The two groups were compared regarding intra operative bleeding of surgery.

Results In conventional septoplasty there is more bleeding during surgery but in Endoscopic septoplasty the bleeding is less during surgery.

Conclusions The endoscopic septoplasty offers an alternative to conventional technique with superior visualization, excellent illumination and excellent tool for teaching. It preferred for posterior deviation, whereas conventional septoplasty is still preferred for anterior deviation.