Functional septorhinoplasty in the pediatric and adolescent patient

Objectives: To describe pediatric and adolescent patients undergoing functional septorhinoplasty and to analyze both subjective and objective outcomes. Methods: Retrospective review of prospective cohort study of patients ≤18 years old undergoing functional septorhinoplasty between 2013 and 2016 at a tertiary care center. Patient demographics, nasal exam, procedure, and pre- and postoperative nasal obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE) score, EuroQOL 5-dimension (EQ5D), and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) scores were analyzed. Results: 39 patients, 48.7% male, mean age 15.9 years (range 7–18), with nasal obstruction underwent functional septorhinoplasty with mean follow up of 8.5 months. Patients reported a history of allergies (46.5%), nasal fracture (59.0%), and previous nasal surgery (25.6%). Most common exam findings included internal nasal valve narrowing (92.3%), superior/dorsal septal deviation (74.4%), external nasal valve narrowing (43.6%), caudal septal deviation (35.9%), and a narrow middle vault (33.3%). Septal cartilage grafts were placed in 79.5% of patients and PDS plate was used in 28.2%. Most common procedures included spreader grafts (84.6%), columellar strut graft (30.8%), and swinging door (23.1%). Of patients with both baseline and postoperative scores, at last follow up NOSE scores (SD) decreased from 59.0 (23.7) to 21.2 (8.8) (n = 26, p < 0.001), EQ5D VAS scores increased from 76.2 (17.7) to 85.8 (13.5), (n = 19, p = 0.056), and PNIF scores increased from 66.2 (25.3) to 90.8 (46) L/min, (n = 13, p < 0.01); all mean differences met the minimal clinically important difference for each score. 2 patients underwent revision surgery and there was one complication of a nasal abscess. Conclusions: Functional septorhinoplasty is safe and effective in select pediatric and adolescent patients with significant nasal obstruction and results in significant improvements in both subjective and objective outcomes measures.