Correcting a bent septum by a k-wire stabilization during an extracorporeal septal reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal septoplasty has been successfully employed in difficult cases of septal deviation. A novel technique of wire fixation during extracorporeal septoplasty is presented.
METHODS: All patients had complete or near complete nasal airway blockage. The quadrangular cartilage was entirely removed through an open approach. The bent areas were scored, and K-wires were placed to fix the cartilage in the straightened position. The cartilage was replaced and fixated to the bony septum, upper lateral cartilages, and anterior maxillary crest. The K-wire was removed after 6 weeks.
RESULTS: Fifteen of 17 patients retained straightness of the septum, and 13 of 17 achieved subjective improvement in nasal breathing. There was one skin infection which was treated with oral antibiotics with complete resolution. Two wires required a percutaneous incision to remove.
CONCLUSIONS: The presented technique of extracorporeal septoplasty with wire fixation can be successfully employed for extreme septal deviations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .