Pediatric septoplasty in a tertiary care center: A study on surgical outcomes

Abstract

Objectives: In this study, the results of pediatric septoplasty performed at a tertiary care center are presented, and the safety, effectiveness, and complications of the surgery are discussed in comparison with the existing literature. Patients and Methods: A retrospective analysis of medical records was performed for pediatric patients (under 18 years of age) who underwent septoplasty between October 2022 and January 2025. Patients with a history of prior nasal surgery, nasal mass, septal abscess, or cosmetic rhinoplasty were excluded. Data collected included age, sex, comorbidities, surgical indications, operative findings, complications, and follow-up outcomes. Results: In total, 37 cases (24 males, 13 females; mean age: 11.4 ± 3.2 years; range, 0 to 18 years) with nasal obstruction were included in the analysis. Patients were categorized into two groups according to their age: Group 1 (13 males, 3 females; mean age: 8.06 ± 1.39 years; range, 0 to 10 years) and Group 2 (16 males, 5 females; mean age: 14.4 ± 1.67 years; range, 11 to 18 years). Postoperative complications were observed in 13.5% of cases (n = 5), consisting of septal hematoma (n = 1), synechiae (n = 2), and epistaxis (n = 2). Two patients required revision surgery. Comparison of the two age groups revealed no significant differences in complication rates, reported complaints, or follow-up periods (p > 0.05). The mean follow-up was 15.1 ± 2.6 months. Conclusion: Pediatric septoplasty can be considered a safe and effective procedure for nasal obstruction when performed with a conservative approach that preserves growth zones. While early surgical intervention does not appear to significantly impact complication rates, long-term studies with larger cohorts are necessary to evaluate potential effects on facial development and quality of life.