Objective: The surgical closure of septal perforations is a challenging procedure. Various techniques exist. Each perforation proves that there is not the one precise procedure for all perforations. Nevertheless, success rates of about 90% are reported, although the procedure for closing the defect is challenging. Our goal was to evaluate the existing data.
Methods: We performed a contemporary review of published closure rates of septal perforations on order to compare the present results in the literature. The limitations of the respective studies were analyzed.
Results: We found closure rates from 30 to 100%. Numerous procedures were described and combined. Prospective studies comparing different techniques are missing. The follow-up time in studies was quite short or not even specified. Studies on long-term success rates are rare.
Conclusion: The closure of septal defects is one of the most challenging rhinosurgical interventions. Closure rates ≥90% as described in literature seem relatively high. One reason might be short follow-ups and retrospective study designs. Frequently, precise information on the follow-up and the method of follow up is missing. Thoroughly designed prospective studies are absent. Longer follow-up times are associated with lower complete closure rates. A long-term success rate between 70 and 80% seems realistic.
Keywords: Follow up; Rhinosurgery; Septal perforation; Septoplasty; Success rate; Surgical closure.
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