title: Three layer interlocking: a novel technique for repairing a nasal septum perforation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Many techniques to repair a septal perforation using local flaps with or without an interpositioning graft with various rates of success have been described. Our aim was to describe a new and relatively easy technique for repairing these perforations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two patients with nasal septal perforations smaller than 2 cm in diameter were operated on between 2010 and 2012 at Eskişehir Osmangazi University. The described 3-layer interlocking method was applied to repair the septal perforation in all of the cases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-two patients were operated on using this technique. The follow-up time ranged from 30 months to 10 months, with a mean follow-up time of 20.9 months. In 19 of the 22 patients, complete closure of the perforation was achieved (86.3%). We did not encounter any early or late postoperative complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A novel technique that uses a temporalis fascia-conchal cartilage complex as an interpositioning material to repair septal perforations is described. This complex was endoscopically introduced to the perforation after elevating the edges of the perforation. We concluded that the low morbidity, short operating time, and high success rate make this technique a good choice for repairing small- to medium-sized perforations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ercan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kaya
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cemal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cingi
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Izmir Bozyaka Teaching and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey yuksel.olgun@deu.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Yüksel
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Olgun
authors.affiliation: ENT Department, Eskişehir Military Hospital, Eskişehir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Soken
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Özgür
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Pinarbasli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055171:Nasal Cartilages / Q000637:transplantation*; D061270:Nasal Septal Perforation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: conchal cartilage; repair; septum perforation