title: A novel wedge technique to correct the curved deviation of the cartilaginous nasal septum.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To introduce a novel wedge technique in endonasal septoplasty to correct the curved deviation of the cartilaginous septum and describe the surgical procedure and results.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis was performed on 17 patients who had septoplasty using the wedge technique to correct the curved deviation of their cartilaginous septum. A 2-2.5-cm-long wedge made of either septal cartilage or ethmoid/vomer bone was inserted through an incision located 1.5-2 cm caudal to the bony-cartilaginous junction near the dorsum. Materials used for the wedge, objective evaluation of the surgical results, subjective symptom improvement and surgical complications were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The degree of deviation was moderate to severe in all patients. Bony septum was used as the wedge material in 9 patients and septal cartilage in 8 patients. Among 17 patients, 15 had a completely straight septum while 2 had a minimal curvature remaining. Subjective symptoms of nasal obstruction evaluated by the Visual Analog Scale score and Nasal Obstructive Symptom Evaluation scale improved in all patients. In acoustic rhinometry, minimal cross-sectional area and nasal volume change showed some improvement without statistical significance. There were no major complications including saddle nose and revision surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our novel wedge technique can be an effective and safe technique to straighten the curved deviations of the cartilaginous septum in selected patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chosun University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ji-Eun
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hahn Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Munyoung
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: doctorjin@daum.net.
authors.forename: Hong Ryul
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Jin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055171:Nasal Cartilages / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000601:surgery*; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D059747:Nasal Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D023842:Rhinometry, Acoustic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Deviation; High dorsal deviation; Nasal septum; Septoplasty; Wedge