Overcorrected Septums as a Complication of Septoplasty

Seo, Min Cheol; Heo, Seong Cheol; Chung, Yoo Sam; Lee, Bong Jae

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Overcorrection is defined as obvious deviation of the septum to the opposite direction after septoplasty and it is not infrequently developed in young patients. We investigated the rate of its incidence, especially in relation to age.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We retrospectively studied 1,124 patients undergoing septoplasty operation for septal deviation between 1994 and 1999. The operations and postoperative observation were performed by a single surgeon. We reviewed the medical records for age, sex, symptoms, combined operations, direction of deviation before and after septoplasty.
RESULTS
Out of 1,124 patients, 22 (2.0%) had their septum overcorrected after septoplasty and 21 (95%) complained of nasal obstruction of the newly deviated side. The incidence of overcorrection was 7.3% (16/218) in teens, 1.7% (5/294) in twenties, 0.4% (1/250) in thirties, and 0% in older ages. The incidence in teens and early twenties was 5%. Patients of teenagers revealed significantly higher incidence as compared to other age groups (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Overcorrected septum as a complication of septoplasty develops at the incidence rate of 5% in patients of teens and early twenties. Authors suggest that the depth of cross-hatching incision on the cartilage should be superficial or half-thickness to avoid overcorrection in young patients. And the possibility of overcorrection or revision septoplasty should be informed preoperatively.