Long Term Outcomes of Nasoseptal Perforation Repair With an Anterior Ethmoidal Artery Flap

Cadaveric and Computed Tomography Analysis of the Anterior Ethmoidal Artery Flap

BACKGROUND

The anterior ethmoidal artery (AEA) flap has been successful in repairing anterior nasal septal perforations and has been presumed to be axially based on AEA branches coursing through or around the cribriform plate (CP). However, limited evidence supports the flap's axial supply. The purposes of this cadaveric and computed tomography (CT) study were to assess the arterial anatomy from the CP to the septum, and to determine AEA flap length to predict ideal flap base width.

METHODS

Ten fresh latex-injected cadavers were utilized for endoscopic dissection to identify arteries traversing the CPs on each side. First, arterial trajectories along the dorsal septum were recorded. Measurements were then made bilaterally along the septum from the middle turbinate (MT) axilla to the nasal branch of the AEA (NBAEA) traversing the CP. Additionally, 100 sinus CTs were reviewed to measure AEA flap lengths bilaterally.

RESULTS

From 10 cadavers, 20 sides were utilized for measurements. In all cadavers, the AEA septal branches coursed diagonally or horizontally along the dorsal septum, and never directly vertically. The mean distance from the MT axilla to the NBAEA was 1.24 ± 1.93 cm (range = 1-1.5 cm). Based on CTs, the mean AEA flap length was 6.40 ± 0.60 cm.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the non-vertical courses of AEA septal branches, the AEA flap is more likely a random transposition flap than an axial flap. Average AEA flap length ranged from 6.0 to 7.0 cm. Assuming 3:1 length:width ratios, AEA flap base widths should be about 2.0-2.3 cm.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

NA Laryngoscope, 134:2100-2104, 2024.

"Boot-on-Donut" procedure for anterior and large septal perforation

BACKGROUND

Surgical closure of large nasoseptal perforation (NSP) is challenging. The use of an extended anterior ethmoidal artery (eAEA) flap to reconstruct NSP may present with difficulties for NSPs which have their upper edge in a high position.

METHOD

We propose adding a "donut-shape" flap from surrounding septal tissue to the eAEA flap. Thus, the inverted edges of this flap allow to cover the uppermost aspect of the NSP. A series of 18 patients with complete closure of NSPs was included.

CONCLUSION

This novel "Boot-on-Donut" technique consisting of the eAEA flap (Boot) and inverted edges (Donut) is a feasible procedure that allows to reconstruct large NSP located superiorly.

Autologous Interposition Grafts for Mucosal Flap Septal Perforation Repair

Background: Nasal septal perforation repair is commonly attempted utilizing bilateral nasal mucosal flaps supported with an interposition graft. Objectives: To compare the failure rates for bilateral flap repairs utilizing four different autologous interposition grafts. Methods: This is a retrospective review of a single surgeon's bilateral flap perforation repairs supported with an autologous interposition graft. Study inclusion over the 18-year review period required at least one examination 1 month after surgery. Repair failure rates were calculated and compared for each graft type, and logistic regression was performed for multivariate analysis. Results: For the 356 study patients, median (range) age was 51 years (14-81) and 63.0% were women. Mean (range) perforation length was 13.9 mm (1-45). Median (range) at last follow-up was 11.2 months (1-192). Graft types used (percentage of patients and failure rate) were temporalis fascia (58.7/4.4), septal cartilage (23.3/7.3), auricular perichondrium (13.8/4.1), and septal bone (4.2/6.7) (p > 0.05). Conclusion: There was no significant difference in bilateral mucosal flap perforation repair failure rate when either a temporalis fascia, septal cartilage, auricular perichondrium, or septal bone interposition graft was used.

Outcome of Endoscopic Repair of Nasal Septal Perforation

INTRODUCTION

The anterior ethmoidal artery (AEA) flap has been demonstrated to be a reliable option for endoscopic repair of symptomatic nasal septal perforations. The purpose of this study is to study the outcome of this technique.

METHODS

A retrospective case series of all consecutive patients who underwent repair of nasal septal perforation utilizing the AEA flap among 2 institutions from August 2020 to July of 2022 was conducted. Demographics and comorbidities were collected preoperatively and postoperatively. The main outcome of this study was to identify the risk factors for surgical failure.

RESULTS

Forty-one patients were included. Mean perforation size was 2.2 cm (range 0.5-4.5 cm). Mean age was 42.5 years (range 14-65 years), 53.6% were female, 39% were active smokers, mean body-mass-index (BMI) was 31.9 (range 19.1-45.5), 20% with history of CRS and 31.7% had diabetes mellitus (DM). Etiologies of the perforation included idiopathic (n = 12), iatrogenic (n = 13), intranasal drug use (n = 7), trauma (n = 6), and secondary to tumor resection (n = 3). Overall success rate for complete closure was 73.2%. Active smoking, history of intranasal drug use, and DM were significantly associated with surgical failure (72.7%vs 26.7%, P = .007; 36.4%vs 10%, P = .047; and 63.6%vs 20%, P = .008 respectively).

CONCLUSION

The endoscopic AEA flap is a reliable technique for closure of nasal septal perforation. It may not work when the etiology is intranasal drug use. Close attention to diabetes and smoking status is also needed.

Pedicled nasal flaps in transnasal endoscopic surgery: review of indications and surgical techniques

At present an exclusive endoscopic endonasal approach is sufficient in the majority of cases to treat pathologies involving the sinonasal compartment and the surrounding anatomical subsites (e.g. orbit, ventral skull base, upper parapharyngeal space, etc.) with the advantage of minimising surgical invasiveness. In this context, nasal vascularised local flaps are widely employed because they represent a more effective option for reconstruction or preservation of noble/vital structures compared to grafts. On the other hand, the surgical extension and morbidity are minimised compared to regional or free flaps. Several nasal local flaps have been described in the literature: the aim of this review is to examine their applications, characteristics, indications, success rates and morbidities. Different nasal flaps based on single or multiple pedicles have been described; the choice between them is based on different factors such as the flap’s shape and dimension, localisation of the pedicle’s origin, width of rotation angle, previous surgeries which could compromise vascularisation, and surgical experience, in addition to the position and dimension of the area which must be resurfaced.

Long-Term Outcomes of Nasoseptal Perforation Repair Using Anterior Maxillary Sinus Wall as an Interpositional Graft

BACKGROUND

Various graft materials have been used to repair nasoseptal perforation, but there is no standardized treatment method. The anterior maxillary sinus wall is flattened in appearance and can be easily obtained in a sufficient amount for a large-sized nasoseptal perforation.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to determine whether the anterior maxillary sinus wall is suitable as an interpositional graft in the surgical repair of septal or nasoseptal perforation.

METHODS

This is a retrospective review of 21 patients who underwent repair of nasoseptal perforation using anterior maxillary sinus wall as an interpositional graft. The etiology, pre- and post-operative NOSE and GBI score, and perforation size were reviewed. The surgical outcome was considered successful if total closure was achieved after postoperative follow-up.

RESULTS

19 of the 21 perforations were successfully repaired with anterior maxillary sinus wall. Failure of the repair was found in 2 patients. Causal etiology of perforation was previous septoplasty in 10 patients, and electrocautery in 1 case, but not identified in 10 cases. The largest size was 2.7 × 2.2 cm. The most common symptoms were epistaxis, crusting, and nasal obstruction. Closure of septal perforation resulted in improved subjective symptoms and quality of life which were evaluated with NOSE and GBI score.

CONCLUSION

Anterior maxillary sinus wall as interpositional graft between mucoperichondrial flaps can be used to reliably repair nasoseptal perforations.