Septum surgery in children; indications, surgical technique and long-term results.
This paper summarizes the author's experience with septum surgery in children from 1963 to 1978. Some 150 children have been operated upon and many of them could be followed up. A septal deformation with breathing problems at rest is an indication for conservative surgery regardless of the patient's age. If there is only breathing difficulty during exercise, other factors (age, external deformity, psyche) play a role in making the decision. Septal deformities without functional complaints are left untouched. The prevention of a growth deformity can be a concomitant factor in deciding whether to operate. Fresh fractures, septal haematoma's and abscesses are undisputable indications for surgery. The surgical technique as used in the two most frequent types of deformation is described. A boy operated upon at the age of 4 was followed-up over a period of 15 years. His nose developed normally until puberty. Then some growth disturbance became apparent.
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery*; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000601:surgery