title: Nasal septal perforation repair:  predictive factors and systematic review of the literature.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although numerous surgical techniques have been introduced thus far in order to achieve the surgical closure of nasal septal perforation, the repair of nasal septal perforation is still challenging for surgeons and operative techniques are not standardized. Furthermore, predictive factors for successful closure have not been elucidated. This review aimed to investigate predictive factors for complete closure of nasal septal perforation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The size of perforation was the most significant factor for complete closure. Surgical failure occurred more frequently in patients with large perforation (>2 cm) than those with small-to-moderate perforation (≤2 cm). The bilateral coverage over the perforation with vascularized mucosal flap also helped complete closure. Interposition of grafts appeared to assist complete closure, although it was statistically insignificant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This review provides information for surgeons on how to predict surgical outcomes of the repair of nasal septal perforation and which surgical techniques to choose in order to obtain better results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Sang-Wook
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Chae-Seo
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Rhee
mesh_terms: D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006801:Humans; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000601:surgery; D061270:Nasal Septal Perforation / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps