title: Posterosuperior extension of caudal septal incision for endoscopic septoplasty.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endoscopic septoplasty provides several advantages over traditional headlight septoplasty in terms of better visualization. However, surgeons may experience frequent soiling of the endoscope lens by blood from the incision site and awkwardness in finding adequate space for the endoscope and dissectors in narrow septal mucosal tunnels. Here, we propose a simple and safe modification for endoscopic septoplasty.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 21 patients underwent endoscopic septoplasty using a new modification. Briefly, a posterosuperior extension incision was made along the dorsal septum at the superior end of the caudal septal incision, and a posteroinferior-based septal mucosal flap was developed and placed laterally over the inferior turbinate during surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The new modification reported here provided clear endoscopic visualization and a comfortable working space from making the incision to closing the wound. In addition, no significant complications related to this modification, such as increased operation time, intraoperative or postoperative bleeding, delayed wound healing, synechia, nasal septal perforation, and reduced olfaction, were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adding a posterosuperior extension incision to the caudal septal incision might be a safe and efficient modification for endoscopic septoplasty.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, Republic of Korea.|Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sang-Wook
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yeon-Hee
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Joo
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, Republic of Korea.|Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sea-Yuong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Jeon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery*; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: endoscopes; nasal septum; nose deformity; surgical flaps; video-assisted surgery