Persistent Nasal Obstruction Following Septoplasty: Deviated Nasal Pyramid and Perpendicular Plate

Background: Functional septorhinoplasty (SRP) is a surgical procedure for improvement of symptomatic deformity of the inner and outer nose. Due to inadequate preoperative analysis and consequently insufficient surgical indication, septoplasty (SPL) alone may be performed. A frequent cause for revision septorhinoplasty (rSRP) in our institution was found to be due to a deviated bony pyramid in compound with a contralateral high deviation of the perpendicular plate, ipsilateral reluxation of the cartilaginous septum and a resulting nasal valve stenosis. Materials and Methods: The medical records of all patients undergoing revision septorhinoplasty in our institution from 2005-2011 were evaluated retrospectively. Results: 398 patients underwent rSRP, in 57 patients (14%) a deviated bony nose after septoplasty was diagnosed. In all cases a deviated bony nose and contralateral deviation of the perpendicular plate was found and corrected by rSRP. The nasal breathing was improved in all cases. This was also shown in an increase of endonasal volume and nasal air flow in acoustic rhinometry and active anterior rhinomanometry. Conclusion: A deviated nasal pyramid and perpendicular plate was found to be a common cause for persistent nasal obstruction after septoplasty. A careful preoperative analysis of the nose, the pathology of the bony and cartilaginous septum and the nasal valves is mandatory in order to recognize anatomical details and set up the right indication for rhinosurgical interventions.