Background:
Septoplasty is recognised as a more effective treatment for nasal obstruction caused by septal deviation
compared to medical management alone [1]. Historically, there have been concerns about the potential
impact of septal surgery on nasal and facial growth in children due to the role of the nasal septum in
midfacial development [2]. However, more recent evidence generally supports the safety of paediatric
septoplasty [3]. When performed conservatively, and with careful preservation of the mucoperichondrium
and key growth areas, corrective septal surgery has been shown to enhance nasal function and quality of
life in children without compromising facial development [4,5].
Despite these recent developments in practice, the contemporary landscape of paediatric septoplasty in the
United Kingdom remains largely unexplored, with limited data available regarding its practice and
outcomes. Therefore, the aim of this survey is to map the current practice of paediatric septoplasty across
the UK to assist in the development of consensus guidance and direct future research.
References:
- Carrie S, O'Hara J, Fouweather T, et al. Clinical effectiveness of septoplasty versus medical management
for nasal airways obstruction: multicentre, open label, randomised controlled trial. BMJ. 2023;383:e075445.
- Grymer LF, Bosch C. The nasal septum and the development of the midface. A longitudinal study of a pair
of monozygotic twins. Rhinology. 1997;35(1):6-10.
- Calvo-Henríquez C, Neves JC, Arancibia-Tagle D, et al. Does pediatric septoplasty compromise midfacial
growth? A systematic review. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2020;277(6):1565-1574.
- Bishop R, Sethia R, Allen D, Elmaraghy CA. Pediatric nasal septoplasty outcomes. Transl Pediatr.
2021;10(11):2883-2887.
- Rose AS, Makary CA, Soler ZM, Kimple AJ, Pearlman AN, Ramaswamy US, Setzen M, Gudis DA.
American Rhinologic Society Expert Practice Statement: Indications and Recommendations for Septoplasty
in Children. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2024;14(8):1363-1374