Deviated Septum and Septal Perforation

About Dr. Jason Hamilton

Jason S. Hamilton, M.D. is the Director of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery for the Osborne Head and Neck Institute based at Cedar-Sinai Medical Towers. Dr. Hamilton has advanced training in plastic and reconstructive surgical techniques involving the face, head, and neck, and limits his practice to the treatment of these areas exclusively.

View All Posts

About Dr. Ryan Osborne

Ryan F. Osborne, M.D. is the Director of Head and Neck Surgery at OHNI and is an internationally renowned expert in head and neck oncology. He has developed a special interest for the treatment of parotid gland tumors and focuses on the use of minimally-invasive techniques in the care of patients needing parotid surgery.

Nasal Septum Repair/Septal Perforation Surgery

Jason S. Hamilton, MD, FACS
Director of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Osborne Head and Neck Institute, Los Angeles, CA		 Ryan Osborne, MD, FACS
Director of the Division of Head and Neck Surgery
Osborne Head and Neck Institute, Los Angeles, CA

 

Figure 1: Schematic representation of the nasal cavity including the septum.
Figure 1: Schematic representation of the nasal cavity including the septum.

CLINICAL CHALLENGE

Septal perforations may arise from a variety of common conditions. One common etiology associated with septal perforation is corrective surgery for septal deviation (deviated septum).

PROCEDURE OVERVIEW

During an evaluation by a septal repair specialist, imaging of the nasal cavity is usually obtained to determine the presence, size, and location of any septal perforations as well as any other underlying conditions that are not readily evident. Other conditions include: turbinate or adenoid hypertrophy, nasal polyps, rhinitis, chronic sinus disease, or chronic infection. It is the obligation of the surgeon to insure that all nasal disease is thoroughly evaluated. All medical conditions should be optimized prior to surgery. Once it has been determined that a patient is an appropriate candidate for septal repair, preparations are made for surgical treatment which typically include septoplasty to correct the deviated septum.

Figure 2: Schematic demonstrating a deviated septum and septal perforation location for septal defects.
Figure 2: Schematic demonstrating a deviated septum and septal perforation location for septal defects.

SURGICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Depending on the severity of the septal perforation and associated structural compromise of the nose (deviated septum, saddle nose deformity) a septal repair specialist may recommend concomitant reconstruction of the nose using a technique called functional rhinoplasty which aims to restore and/or improve proper breathing and reduce nasal symptoms. Functional rhinoplasty is a structural surgery, which commonly includes the use of cartilage grafts harvested from either the septal, auricular (ear), or rib cartilage of the patient. These grafts are used to structurally reinforce the nasal skeleton and may be added to the septum, tip, or dorsum of the nose.

Figure 3: Nasal endoscopy demonstrates patient right sided deviated nasal septum with anterior septum perforation.
Figure 3: Nasal endoscopy demonstrates patient right sided deviated nasal septum with anterior septum perforation.

CLINICAL RESULTS

Traditional septal repair procedures carry high rates of failure. In contrast, Dr. Hamilton has pioneered his own internationally renowned techniques and holds an unprecedented 99% success rate in septal perforation repair procedures for small and large perforations of the septum. 

SURGEON COMMENTS

Dr. Hamilton- “Deviation of the septum (deviated septum) contributes negatively to support of the nose and increases the degree of symptoms experienced by patients with a septal perforation. Nasal obstruction, congestion, perforation, nosebleeds, and crusting, symptoms commonly seen with septal perforations, are common in patients with septal devation alone. When a deviated septum and septal perforation are present simultaneously in the same patient, symptoms grow exponentially. A successful outcome for these patients always requires concomitant repair of the deviated septum and septal perforation.”

Figure 4: Nasal endoscopy demonstrates above patient after correction of deviated septum and septal perforation.
Figure 4: Nasal endoscopy demonstrates above patient after correction of deviated septum and septal perforation.

Dr. Jason Hamilton is the Director of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery for the Osborne Head and Neck Institute, is double board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, and is one of only handful of septal perforation specialist worldwide

For more information on the deviated septum, septoplasty, functional rhinoplasty and septal perforation repair by Dr. Jason Hamilton, septal perforation specialist, please contact the Osborne Head and Neck Institute or visit www.perforatedseptum.com

 

Click here to download article PDF

deviatedpdf