Long-term Results of Fashioned Costal Cartilage Block as Interpositional Graft for Large Septal Perforations Closure
Salih Aydın, Burak Karabulut, Erkan Bayram, Betül Özkan, Furkan Bünyamin BudakAbstract
Large nasal septal perforations (NSPs; ≥2 cm) remain a significant surgical challenge with lower closure rates than smaller defects.
We hypothesize that a fashioned costal cartilage neo-septal block used as an interpositional graft can achieve both anatomical and functional closure in large NSPs.
Retrospective case series.
A total of 26 patients underwent NSP closure using a neo-septal block graft prepared by sagittal splitting of costal cartilage slices sutured into a watertight structure, covered with bilateral unipedicled rotational flaps.
The mean perforation size was 27.5 × 16.4 mm, with a mean follow-up of 44.4 months. Anatomical closure was achieved in 22 patients (84.6%). In cases without complete closure, symptoms including crusting, bleeding, nasal obstruction, and whistling resolved.
The neo-septal block graft is effective and reliable for large NSP repair, particularly when complete tension-free flap closure is not achievable, providing both anatomical and functional improvement.