title: Pack free septoplasty: functional outcomes and complications.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to evaluate the functional outcomes and complications of pack free septoplasty in adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-nine consecutive patients (35 males, 14 females; mean age 37.7 years; range 18 to 63 years) who underwent septoplasty in our clinic between January 2011 and June 2013 were prospectively included in the study. Preoperative nasal obstruction was scored using the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE). Nasal obstruction was reevaluated in the first and the third postoperative months. Postoperative complications were recorded. Pre- and postoperative NOSE scores were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recovery rate was 81.63%. There was a statistically significant difference between preoperative NOSE scores and postoperative first and third-month NOSE scores (p<0.05). We observed minor hemorrhage in 17 patients (34.7%), nasal synechiae in three patients (6.1%), and flap overposition in two patients (4.1%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pack free septoplasty performed with transseptal suture technique is effective in the treatment of septum deviation and may be performed confidently in septum surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Medical Faculty of Başkent University, 06490 Bahçelievler, Ankara, Turkey. eskierkan@mynet.com.
authors.forename: Erkan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eşki
authors.forename: İsmail
authors.initials: İ
authors.lastname: Yılmaz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004844:Epistaxis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000473:pathology; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013630:Tampons, Surgical; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult