Polydioxanone plates are safe and effective for L-strut support in functional septorhinoplasty.
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS
To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and result stability of polydioxanone (PDS) plate use for L-strut stabilization.


STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort.


METHODS
Patients who underwent functional septorhinoplasty with the use of PDS plates between January 2013 and January 2017 were administered the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale pre- and postoperatively at 2, 4, 6, and 12 months. Patient demographics, reason for PDS use, graft type, complications, and outcomes were analyzed.


RESULTS
Eighty-eight patients aged 34.3 years (standard deviation [SD] = 15.7 years; range, 7.5-71.5 years) were included. All patients were found to have a fracture and/or severe deviation of the L-strut for which the PDS plate was used for rigid support. Mean preoperative NOSE score 65.2 (SD = 22.1) significantly decreased to 19.6 (SD = 21.6) at 7.2 months (SD = 5.5 months) postoperatively. There were no significant differences in NOSE scores between follow-up time points. There was one complication, a septal abscess, and one revision.


CONCLUSIONS
A PDS plate is a safe and effective material to be utilized in functional septorhinoplasty for patients with a fracture or iatrogenic injury to the septal L-strut or poor quality septal cartilage that requires stability without additional width. Outcomes are stable at 6 and 12 months, after the plate has dissolved. The use of a PDS plate may decrease the need for rib grafting in patients with a history of previous septoplasty and persistent nasal obstruction with a dorsal or caudal C-shaped septal deformity or fracture of the L-strut.


LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
2c. Laryngoscope, 127:2725-2730, 2017.
['Fuller|Jennifer C|JC|0000-0003-2638-667X', 'Levesque|Patricia A|PA|', 'Lindsay|Robin W|RW|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D001860:Bone Plates D002648:Child D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D015508:Nasal Obstruction D009300:Nasal Septum D016687:Polydioxanone D012189:Retrospective Studies D012225:Rhinoplasty D016896:Treatment Outcome D055815:Young Adult
polydioxanone Septorhinoplasty nasal valve