Septoplasty in peadiatric population

Abstract

Septoplasty in children is controversials due to concerns over an adverse effect on nasal and facial growth. Recent evidence has confirmed that septoplasty can be safely performed without affecting nasofacial development in properly selected pediatric patient. The purpose of this article is to establish the impact of pediatric septoplasty on nasal and facial growth and review the clinical indications and evidence for timing of surgery according to the most recent literature. A structured review of the PubMed, Ovid Medline and Cochrane Collaboration databases (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews) was undertaken, using the terms: pediatric, childhood, septoplasty, nasal septum, indications, nasal growth and facial growth. A further similar study concluded that external septoplasty does not affect most aspects of nasal and facial growth, but may negatively influence growth of the nasal dorsum. Furthermore, one study demonstrated that a group of children with symptomatic uncorrected deviated nasal septum had a statistically significant increased occurrence of facial and dental anomalies compared with age and sex matched controls, therefore supporting a role for septoplasty. Conclusions: Evidence exists to support that pediatric septoplasty can be performed without affecting most aspects of nasal and facial growth.