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Facial Plast Surg 2006; 22(4): 289-297
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-954847
Copyright © 2006 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Complications in Septoplasty

Gerhard Rettinger1 , Hanspeter Kirsche1
  • 1ENT-Department University Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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Publication History

Publication Date:
28 November 2006 (online)

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ABSTRACT

The most frequent complications of septoplasty are deformities, infections, and perforations. The effects of each of these complications, however, can be very different. Dislocations and deformities of the septum may result not only in an impaired airway but also in visible deformities of the entire nasal base and dorsum. A patient who underwent septoplasty can be “stigmatized.” Infections may lead not only to septal abscess but also to endocranial complications such as meningitis or septicemia with endocarditis. Permanent perforations of the nasal septum can result in significant symptoms if they are located in the anterior part of the nose. Surgical closure is the treatment of choice, with a high success rate if the patients are selected properly. Besides these three major types of complications there are many others, from smell disturbances to blindness. Causes, prevention, and correction of selected complications are presented and data of the recent literature reported.

KEYWORDS

Septoplasty - complications - prevention - correction

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 Professor Dr. med
Gerhard RettingerM.D. 

Head of ENT-Department University Ulm

Frauensteige 12, 89075 Ulm, Germany