Unilateral versus bilateral flaps elevation in septoplasty

Background: Deviated nasal septums are a common problem in the population. A septoplasty is the method of choice for treating these patients, who are commonly presented with nasal obstruction. Objective: to assess the complication and functional outcome of septoplasty surgery by comparing the flap elevations; unilateral versus bilateral ones. Methods: A prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted on 55 patients with septal deviation who underwent septoplasty operation using unilateral versus bilateral flap technique, we followed the patients one week 3rd week and eight weeks postoperative and they were assessed regarding complication (bleeding, infection, crustation, septal perforation and persist septal deviation) and functional outcome by using rhinomanometry. Result: (55) patients with septal deviation were included in the study, (18) female and (37) male, and their ages ranged from (18-60) years. With a mean age of 27 years. 25 patients (45.5%) had unilateral flap and 30 patients (54.5%) had bilateral flap septoplasty. Spur deviation was the most common type of septal deviation 13(41.9%) in unilateral and 18(58.1%) in bilateral followed by C type 8(53.3%) in unilateral and 7(46.7%) in bilateral, then s-shape deviation 4(44.4%) cases in unilateral and 5(55.6%) cases in bilateral, caudal dislocation was excluded in our study. In the 1st week of follow-up after surgery infection was reported in 3 cases (one case in unilateral and two cases in bilateral), crustation in 12 cases (7 in bilateral and 5 in unilateral), and no bleeding or perforation was reported. Conclusion: The final result of the operation and the outcome of the patient were more acceptable with bilateral flap elevation because of less residual deviation and patients were more satisfy with the outcome.