Keywords rhinoplasty - nasal obstruction - nasal septum
Introduction
Deviated nasal septum is one of the most common causes of nasal obstruction in adult
patients, as well as a frequent complaint in rhinologic practice.[1 ] Nasal obstruction is the ninetieth most frequent complaint reported at medical exams
in the United States. Nearly ⅓ of the world population presents some type of septum
deviation, and ¼ of those require surgical treatment.[2 ]
[3 ]
Septoplasty is the definitive treatment for septum deviation, having been performed
for several decades with good results. Surgical techniques have evolved and currently
there are new approaches that must be further studied to understand their advantages
and disadvantages.[4 ]
[5 ]
[6 ] Such studies would provide important information and guide the surgeon on the choice
of a surgical approach.
The Universal Eclectic Technique was described in 2002.[7 ] This technique differs from others because it systematizes surgical steps, and is
easily learned by residents. Universal Eclectic Technique is a combination of different
surgical techniques for the correction of bony and cartilaginous septum deviations.
Despite the importance of this matter, there are still few studies establishing an
objective comparison between surgical techniques. Therefore, this study aims at comparing
the results obtained through the Universal Eclectic Technique (UET) and those obtained
through classic Cottle's Technique.[8 ]
[9 ] Cottle's Technique is widely accepted and has great results.
For the present study, we performed two series of consecutive septoplasty cases: 53
septoplasty using UET and 37 using Cottle's technique. We assessed and compared some
important aspects such as: deviation types, operating surgical time, postoperative
edema, postoperative complications, and degree of clinical improvement. Patients who
required complementary surgical approaches, such as turbinectomy, were not included
in the present study.
We assessed clinical improvement through the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation
Scale (NOSE). We applied a transcultural adaptation and validation of this questionnaire
addressing quality of life related to nasal obstruction.[10 ]
Materials and Methods
Study Design
Prospective study of two consecutive case series, based on the analysis of 90 patients
submitted to UET and Cottle's septoplasty, using SINPE© as analysis instrument. The
research received approval from the Human Research Ethics Committee, number 001/2012
– 01.
The primary objective was to compare the Universal Eclectic Technique with Cottle's
Technique. The parameters considered for this comparison were: operating time, complications,
and clinical improvement (NOSE).
Sample
Ninety consecutive patients underwent septoplasty through UET or Cottle's Technique
between November 2010 and July 2011. Initially, we performed a consecutive series
of 53 septoplasties in patients from the UET group. Then, we confirmed a new consecutive
series of 37 septoplasties using Cottle's Technique. The same surgeon operated all
patients in a single procedure, with a minimum of three-month follow-up.
Inclusion criteria were minimum age of 18 years, with complaint of nasal obstruction
and septal deviation. We also excluded patients that presented improvement after clinical
treatment; patients who did not authorize the use of their data; that required aesthetic,
functional, or restorative surgery; that needed functional sinus surgery; presented
nasal tumor; required intervention in any of the turbinates; tamponade; splint; were
submitted to a previous nasal surgery; suffered from allergic rhinitis.
All patients were submitted to flexible nasopharyngoscope (3.2 mm) to determine location
and type of septal deviation. In addition, they answered the NOSE questionnaire.
We evaluated the following variables in both: a) intensity of the symptoms; b) degree
of septal deviation; c) operating time; d) postoperative edema; e) septal deviation
correction; and f) patient satisfaction.
The author of the present work suggests a classification of the degree of septal deviation
based on Maurice Cottle's classification: a) septal deviation degree I: simple deviation,
compatible with proper nasal function, however, patient complains of nasal obstruction;
b) septal deviation degree II: unilateral deviation consistent with moderate nasal
obstruction; c) septal deviation degree III: unilateral or bilateral deviation in
contact with the lateral nasal wall, complaint of severe nasal obstruction.
Treatment
The selected patients underwent UET septoplasty or Cottle's septoplasty.
To compare the operating time (surgical times) for both techniques, we timed each
surgery from the infiltration on nasal mucosa up to the conclusion of the septal suture.
Surgical time classification was divided into: a) 10 to 20 minutes of surgery; b)
20 to 30 minutes of surgery; c) over 30 minutes of surgery
Statistics
We performed proper statistic treatment and used the following nonparametric tests:
Wilcoxon for studied groups during pre and postoperative using NOSE; Mann-Whitney
between groups on preoperative and postoperative periods also using NOSE; Chi-square
between groups to evaluate surgical time and the edema grading. The chosen significance
level was α < 0.05.
Results
Regarding the comparison between surgical time for UTE group and Cottle group, Chi-square
showed p = 0.00001.
After surgical procedure, the researcher monitored clinical course, and performed
an evaluation of nasal edema seven days after the surgery. Edemas were classified
as: a) mild edema: nasal patency between 70 and 100%; b) moderate edema: nasal patency
of 30 to 69%; c) severe edema: nasal patency lower than 29%.
We applied the Chi-square test for the comparison between edema grading for both groups
and observed significantly better results (p = 0.000001) in the UET group.
Thirty days after the surgery an evaluation was performed to assess the presence of
residual deviation.
Ninety days after the surgery, we assessed the improvement of nasal obstruction using
NOSE. Wilcoxon t -test was applied pre-operative and postoperative for period both UET and Cottle groups,
and the results were p = 0.0000 for the first group and p = 0.0000 for the second one. Therefore, it is possible to state that both techniques
have achieved significant clinical improvement.
We applied the Mann-Whitney test to verify whether there was statistically significant
difference on pre- and postoperative scores from both groups. We observed no statistical
difference (p = 0.96).
We performed data collection using SINPE Analisador© for the analysis.
Discussion
The present study has confirmed the hypothesis that UET has some advantages over Cottle's
technique, the main advantage being reduced surgical time, with the same rate of clinical
improvement. A study published in May/June of 2012 was the first to use the NOSE questionnaire,
and has confirmed an improvement in the quality of life of patients submitted to septoplasty
three months earlier. However, the present work compared two specific surgical techniques
– UET and Cottle's technique – performed by the same surgeon.
It is well known that reduced surgical time also means less exposure of the patient
to anesthetics, minimizing costs with medications and optimizing the use of surgical
rooms. In the present study, surgical time was statistically lower in the UET group
(Chi-square 0.0000) ([Table 1 ]).
Table 1
Operating time
Operating Time
Cottle
Eclectic Universal Technique
10 to 20 minutes
0%
28%
21 to 30 minutes
16%
64%
Over 30 minutes
84%
8%
The first assessment took place seven days after the surgery and we assessed the degree
of mucosal edema and the presence of immediate complications ([Table 2 ]). The evaluation of mucosal edema is very important due to its relation to nasal
congestion complaints. Also, it may compromise patients' performance at work or even
delay their return to workplace. It is also important to check possible postoperative
complications to perform an early correction. We observed statistically significant
difference for degree of edema (p = 0.000001) with a prevalence of mild edema in UTE and moderate edema in the Cottle
group.
Table 2
Edema grading
Edema Grading
Cottle
Eclectic Universal Technique
Mild edema
16%
68%
Moderate edema
60%
21%
Severe edema
24%
11%
In regard to postoperative complications in the UET group there was one case of septal
hematoma that was drained in an ambulatory procedure seven days after the surgery.
In the Cottle group, 04 patients presented early complications: 01 with nasal pain,
02 with severe edema, and 01 with incapacitating headache ([Table 3 ]).
Table 3
Early postoperative complications
Early Postoperative Complications
Crusts
0%
Septal perforation
0%
Nasal Pain
20%
Migraine
20%
Edema
40%
Psychological disturbances
0%
Dehiscence
0%
Others
0%
Necrosis
0%
Hematoma
20%
Infection
0%
Patients underwent subsequent evaluation 30 days after surgery, when complete regress
of the edema is expected, which allows proper examination of the nasal septum to verify
if it is centered or if there is residual deviation. We observed no residual deviation
in patients from the Cottle group, while two patients from the UET group presented
anterior residual deviation. This can be related to the fact that both patients had
a severe deviation resulting from nasal trauma.
We performed the final evaluation 90 days after the surgery. We applied NOSE again
and compared the scores with those obtained on the pre-operative period. At first,
we used the Wilcoxon t -test to compare pre-operative and postoperative in the Cottle group. As expected,
there was a significant improvement (p = 0.0000). Then, we used the same test for the same comparison in the UET group and
observed significant improvement (p = 0.0000). Both techniques achieved significant improvement at postoperative; however,
which technique achieves better results?
To answer this question, we used a Mann-Whitney test to compare both groups postoperative
and the result was p = 0.96. Thus, it is possible to state that there was no statistically significant
difference between the results of both techniques ([Table 4 ]).
Table 4
Clinical improvement
Clinical Improvement
Cottle
Eclectic Universal Technique
0–30%
0%
0%
31–60%
5%
5%
> 60%
95%
95%
When beginning this research, we were not sure of the best way to assess the improvement
of patients' clinical conditions. Therefore, we decided to use the NOSE scale in the
present study after it had been through transcultural validation. The scale was easily
applied and did not compromise the consultation time.
The UET emerges as a more viable option for septoplasty due to the systematization
of surgical steps thus reducing operating time, full access to osteocartilaginous
septum, and it being secure and effective.
The safer surgical technique consists of the dissection of the concave side of the
perichondrium, preserving its convex side connected to the cartilage ([Fig. 1 ]). To correct deviation, strips can be resected in vertical, horizontal, or even
oblique direction ([Figs. 2 ], [3 ], and [4 ]). Scientific basis of this correction is mathematical. A straight line is a circle
with an infinite radius ([Fig. 5 ]). Rectification of septum deviations is performed through segmentation of large
curvatures into one or more fragments that will become parts of the greater radius
curve, therefore tending to rectification. After the rectification of the nasal septum,
an incision must be made in the convex side of the muco-perichondrium to prevent possible
bleeding and the formation of post-operative septal hematoma.
Fig. 1 Goldman Septoplasty Technique: anterior and posterior cartilage incision.
Fig. 2 Opening the compartments in the quadrangular cartilage. Removing small sections of
septal cartilage (Goldman's technique).
Fig. 3 Removing the bone spur.
Fig. 4 Removing fragments of septal deformities from compartments.
Fig. 5 Mathematical correction of the curvature scheme.
According to our review the pre-maxillary- maxillary access described by Cottle is
the most utilized access. Many authors consider Cottle's technique superior due to
its preservation of bony and cartilage septum, which can provide stability to nasal
pyramid in future trauma and its preservation of quadrangular cartilage, also part
of nasal function. It can be performed in children aged over six years with low rates
of complications, such as columellar retraction, septal perforation, and atrophic
rhinitis. However, this technique has as disadvantages its long operating time and
longer learning time, as well as more intense transoperative and postoperative bleeding,
and more pronounced mucosal edema.[11 ]
To obtain more reliable results, there was an effort to exclude patients suffering
from concurrent nasal and pulmonary diseases, and patients with septal deviation that
did not require surgical interventions other than septoplasty. Therefore, it was not
possible to compose a larger sample.
On postoperative septum evaluation, there were two cases of residual anterior deviation
after surgery using UET. In both cases the initial deviation was severe and trauma
related. The residual anterior deviations were located at less than 1cm from the caudal
margin of the septum and, even using transfixation incision of the columella (modified
Metzembaum), the complete correction was not possible. However, there was an improvement
of clinical symptomatology. For both cases the extracorporeal Toriumi technique would
be indicated, therefore, these results cannot be considered as a failure of the UET.
A single case of septal hematoma was observed as a complication of the UET (1.88%).
Other authors have reported different rates of this complication after Cottle's technique.
An index of 1.3% was reported by Low and Willatt and 6.9% by Fjermedal et al.[12 ] Thus, UET is equivalent to Cottle's technique. Other studies have reported cases
of septal perforation, but in the present study, this complication did not occur in
any of the studied groups. The study performed by Low and Willatt reported a septal
perforation rate of 2.7%, which is considerably lower than those observed in Fjermedal
et al (11.6%), Tzadik et al (6.4%) and Haraldsson et al (8%).[13 ]
[14 ]
[15 ]
The UET has been used at otorhinolaryngology service for ∼30 years, which shows that
this is a technique of easy execution for residents in apprenticeships related to
septoplasty, rhinoplasty, and functional surgeries of facial sinus. The Universal
Eclectic Technique is increasingly replicated in several continuing education programs
in the field of otorhinolaryngology and, with the development of electronic databases,
allows further multi-focus studies to better assess and propagate its outcomes.
Conclusion
Our study found that both UET and Cottle's surgical techniques present similar long-term
(3 months) results; however, UET presented a briefer operating time and early improvement
of postoperative edema.
Shorter operating time also means reduced expenses with anesthetics and optimal use
of surgical rooms. Thus, UET is a reliable surgical technique with lower costs to
the hospital.
