External Septorhinoplasty in Children: Outcome and Effect on Growth of Septal Excision and Reimplantation

Utilizing Age of Menarche to Optimize Pediatric Rhinoplasty

“…Several studies have explored how anthropometric measurements evolve over time in pediatric patients who undergo external septoplasty, but have variable results. Some authors found that there were no significant changes in facial growth within their respective analyses, whereas others cited a shortened nasal dorsum, decreased nasal tip protrusion, and reduction in nasolabial angle 3,10,12–14 . As all of the analyzed patients in our study received external septoplasties, it was not possible to compare anthropometric or outcomes data with patients who did not.…”

“…Although several previous studies have assessed the impact of rhinoplasty on facial growth in the pediatric population, they have varied perspectives on when patients reach facial maturation. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] Walker et al 10 suggested that facial growth, nasal height, facial height, and nasal tip protrusion cease growth at variable timepoints: 18 years old or the appearance of third molar teeth, 12 years old, 13 years old, and 14 years old respectively in females. In a study of 64 Korean children, Bae et al 11 affirmed that nasal maturation occurs at the age of 16 in females.…”

“…The decision to pursue rhinoplasty in a young patient has been historically controversial, as it remains unclear when facial and nasal maturation occurs. Although several previous studies have assessed the impact of rhinoplasty on facial growth in the pediatric population, they have varied perspectives on when patients reach facial maturation 9–23 . Walker et al 10 suggested that facial growth, nasal height, facial height, and nasal tip protrusion cease growth at variable timepoints: 18 years old or the appearance of third molar teeth, 12 years old, 13 years old, and 14 years old respectively in females.…”

Septoplasty Revision Rates in Pediatric vs Adult Populations

“…Recent studies have shown that pediatric septoplasty is unlikely to have a long-term impact on pediatric facial development and thus indicate that septoplasties can be safely performed in children of all ages. [16][17][18][19][20] There are even data to suggest that performing septal surgery in children with severe deviation may result in improved facial growth compared with watchful waiting until the child is older. However, clinicians should be aware that some studies suggest that certain surgical septoplasty techniques could impact longterm postsurgical nasal angles.…”

“…However, clinicians should be aware that some studies suggest that certain surgical septoplasty techniques could impact longterm postsurgical nasal angles. 6,16,30 For example, the study by Tasca et al 16 suggests that patients treated with extracorporeal septoplasty had different nasolabial angles, whereas septoplasty using the endonasal approach did not interfere with nasal growth. One of the limitations of the current study is our inability to assess whether procedure type was associated with differences in revision rates.…”