A Comparative Study of Surgical Outcome of Endoscopic Septoplasty versus Conventional Septoplasty: Our Experience in Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Nasal obstruction is the most common complaint in ENT practice and a deviated nasal septum is the most common cause of nasal obstruction. Different surgeries have been proposed for correction of deviated septum but septoplasty has been the procedure of choice. Septoplasty is a more conservative surgery with fewer complications and endoscopic septoplasty has become increasingly popular over the last few decades. Hence, this study is conducted to compare the pre‑ and post‑operative symptomatology, to evaluate the postoperative complications of conventional compared to endoscopic septoplasty (ES). Aims and Objectives: To compare the pre‑ and post‑operative symptomatology, to evaluate the postoperative complications of conventional septoplasty compared to endoscopic septoplasty (ES). Material & Methods: 50 Patients attending ENT OPD at ESIC Medical College & Hospital with age between 10 and 50 years having symptomatic deviated nasal septum and refractory to medical treatment. The patients were divided into two groups: Group A, which included 25 patients in whom conventional septoplasty (CS) was performed, and Group B, which included 25 patients in whom Endoscopic Septoplasty was conducted. Results: In the present study of 50 patients with symptomatic Deviated nasal septum, the male-to-female ratio was 2.6 :1. Deviated nasal septum was commonly associated with inferior turbinate hypertrophy (40%) and concha bullosa (26%). Postoperatively, a significant relief from the symptoms of nasal obstruction (80%), nasal discharge (32%), headache (36%), and postnasal drip (56%) was observed in endoscopic septoplasty. Complication rate was higher in conventional septoplasty. Conclusion: ES is more effective in terms of relief of symptoms and improvement of nasal patency with fewer complications.