The Incidence of Post-Septoplasty Complications Among Patients with Deviated Nasal Septum in Relation to Gender and Age

Background: A deviated septum can present at birth, becomes curved during growth, or can be traumatic due to nasal and facial injury. A deviated septum is usually asymptomatic, but sometimes may be present with difficulty breathing through the nose, nasal congestion, sinus infections, nosebleeds, sleep problems, headache, or postnasal drip. Many methods and guidelines have been scheduled to treat and manage acute nasal trauma; however, re-establishment of anatomical deformities and function is still a challenge. Septoplasty is the required surgical intervention for patients to relieve their nasal obstruction. Aim: To detect the incidence of post-septoplasty complications and their relationship with patients’ age and gender among cases with nasal septum deviation. Methodology: A retrospective Electronic record-based study was conducted. This study included patients diagnosed clinically with a deviated nasal septum (DNS) and have undergone surgical intervention (Septoplasty) at Khamis Mushait General Hospital. Data extracted included patients’ demographics and postoperative recorded complications. Results: The study included a total sample of 93 patients. Nasal obstruction was the commonest symptom among patients. As for postoperative complications, nasal obstruction represents nearly one-third of the cases followed by external nasal deformity, and smell disturbance. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study revealed that the only significant post-operative complication incidence in relation with both gender and age groups is a nasal deformity. Nasal obstruction is the most common postoperative complications recorded in general and among male and female patients as well as in all age groups although there is no significant relation to both gender and age groups. Large-scale researches should be conducted to give more understanding and further explanation.