Caudal septoplasty, a literature review.

Abstract

Background: Caudal septal deviation accounts for around five percent of patients with septal deviations that require surgery. The caudal septum provides support to the nasal tip and the deviations can narrow the nasal airway and lead to marked asymmetry in nostril shape. Over-resection of this area can compromise the structural support leading to tip collapse or saddle nose deformity. This necessitates alternative techniques to submucosal resection for surgical correction of caudal septal deviations.

Methodology: This study provides a review of different surgical techniques, including open and closed septoplasty in the literature to address caudal septal deviation. Each technique is described along with a surgical illustration, its advantages, limitations, and examples of case studies with surgical outcomes.

Results: The submucosal resection is a commonly used method but can only be used if the septal deviation is not involving the L-strut. Other methods include scoring, swinging door, doorstop, and suturing techniques either as a stand-alone or used combined with cutting techniques. Batten graft can be used alone or in conjunction with the other methods. Extracorporeal septoplasty is used in cases of severe deformity.

Conclusions: There is a variety of methods to address caudal septal deviation. Correcting the caudal septal deviation requires proper pre-operative planning and accurate execution of surgical techniques. More research on surgical outcomes is needed to improve the evidence base.