title: Extracorporeal septoplasty: complications and new techniques.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report our complication rates during extracorporeal septoplasty (ECS) and to describe a new fixation and splinting technique we developed to simplify stable midline fixation of the neocaudal septum. Correction of the caudally deviated septum remains one of the more difficult surgical goals in functional nasal surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective medical record review of patients undergoing ECS at our institution. We report our complications and describe a new technique for ECS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-six patients underwent ECS from June 1, 2007, through April 30, 2010. Twenty-six of these patients underwent primary surgical repair, whereas 20 presented for revision surgery from outside facilities. Ten revision cases required an ear cartilage graft, and 5 required a rib graft. The overall complication rate was 9% (4 patients), with 4% (2 patients) each for minor and major complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Complication rates of ECS are similar to those of endonasal septoplasty. Stable midline fixation of a reconstructed neocaudal septum is possible with a new technique that relies on novel splinting instead of suture fixation to the midline of the nasal spine.
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, 50 N. Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA. matthew.wilson@hsc.utah.edu
authors.forename: Matt A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Steven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Mobley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology; D013536:Suture Techniques; D055815:Young Adult