Article
Closure of nasoseptal defects in Germany: the current state of the art
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Authors
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Thoralf Stange
- ENT-Department, Lukaskrankenhaus Neuss, Neuss, Germany
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Hans-Jürgen Schultz-Coulon
- Lukaskrankenhaus Neuss, HNO-Klinik, Neuss, Germany
| Published: | July 22, 2009 |
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Outline
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Introduction: For the last 20 years we have been successfully applying the bridge flap technique described by Schultz-Coulon for the closure of nasoseptal defects. Yet it is not known whether this powerful technique for the safe three layer septal repair has become a standard procedure. Furthermore up to date no data is available on the total numbers of nasoseptal defect operations in Germany.
Methods: In order to obtain information about their treatment modalities of symptomatic nasoseptal defects we did a questioning survey of all 157 ENT-departments in Germany. The mail questionnaire asked for the overall numbers of treated nasoseptal defects as well as for the applied surgical techniques in 2007.
Results: 123 questionnaires were evaluated (78.3%). In 2007 777 patients with symptomatic nasoseptal defects were treated in 123 ENT-departments. 31 clinics treated no patients with nasoseptal defects whereas 71 and 21 departments dealt with 1–10 or more than 11 patients respectively. 713 patients (91.8%) underwent surgery and 64 (8.2%) were treated by inserting a silicone button. In 556 patients (78%) the nasoseptal defect was closed applying the bridge flap technique by Schultz-Coulon.
Conclusion: In Germany, almost every symptomatic nasoseptal defect undergoes surgical closure. Yet the surgical approach is a frequent procedure only in few departments specialised in rhinosurgery. Due to its wide distribution the bridge flap technique is regarded to be a safe and reliable procedure. The prosthetic management by inserting a silicone button seems to play a minor role in the treatment of nasoseptal defects.
