Correction of severe caudal deflections with a cartilage "plating" rigid fixation graft.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate a technique for correction of severe caudal septal defects. DESIGN For all patients, preoperative photographs were analyzed and subjective nasal airway patency surveys were conducted. The caudal septal defects were then repaired with the cartilage "plating" rigid fixation technique. The intraoperative findings were documented in pictorial diagrams. Postoperative photographs and repeated airway surveys were obtained during the subsequent follow-up visits. Preoperative data and long-term postoperative data were compared and analyzed. SETTING Private practice, ambulatory surgical center. PATIENTS Thirty-six patients had significant caudal septal deviations and functional airway obstruction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Accuracy and stability of the correction, airway improvement, patient satisfaction, and morbidity. RESULTS Since 1988, 36 patients were treated for severe caudal septal defects using cartilage plating rigid fixation. Follow-up visits have ranged from 3 to more than 9 years. All patients have maintained an accurate correction of their caudal septal deflections. All patients have also noted subjective improvement of their nasal airway. No complication has been encountered. CONCLUSION Cartilage plating rigid fixation seems to be an effective method of correcting the functional problems associated with severe caudal septal deformities.