Endoscopic Assisted Septoplasty Versus Conventional Septoplasty;a Prospective Study

Background and objectives: Correction of deviated nasal septum underwent many modifications. Traditionally, it has been performed by using a headlight and nasal speculum and recently, endoscopic techniques have been used for septal surgery. As a consequence, the present study aimed to compare the efficacy of conventional and endoscopic septoplasty in treating septal deformity. Methods:the study was conducted on fifty patients planned for septoplasty; they were randomly selected and divided into two groups; Group I undertaken conventional septoplasty and Group II via endoscopic septoplasty with twenty-five patients in each group. Postoperative symptom analysis and complications with objective anatomical evaluation by endoscopic examination were explained in this study. Results: Septal deviation was commoner in males than females in a ratio of 1.4: 1. Age ranged from 18 to 58 years with mean age ± SD (stand- ard deviation) 33.42± 10.42. Nasal septum deformity commonly associated with inferior turbinate hypertrophy (76%), concha bullosa (24%) and mucosal disease (26%). Postoperatively, subjective assessment of relieving symptoms was noticed in endoscopic septoplasty including nasal obstruction (96%), nasal discharge (88%), post nasal drip (92%) and headache (80%). Endoscopic septoplasty was superior in correction of posterior deflections in comparison to conven- tional technique while there was no significant difference regarding anterior deviations. Eventually lesser complication rates were observed in endoscopic technique. Conclusions: Endoscopic septoplasty is a viable alternative method for correcting septal deviation, and is more effective in relieving symptoms. It can be performed in conjunction with endoscopic sinus surgery.