Long-term results of dermal grafting for the repair of nasal septal perforations

The closure of nasal septal perforations is a significant surgical challeng e with a high failure rate. Dermis placed between mucoperichondrial advance ment flaps may be an alternative. The usefulness of dermal grafting for the repair of nasal septal perforations was initially investigated in are anim al model. Four pigs had 1.5 x 2.5 cm perforations surgically created and cl osed with either temporalis fascia or dermis placed under a local mucoperic hondrial flap. The dermal graft group had an average closure of 80% with hi stologically normal mucosal surfaces. The temporalis fascia group had no cl osure. Fourteen patients with chronic nasal septal perforations from iatrog enic causes, trauma, and drug abuse were repaired with dermal grafting, Nin e patients had complete closure, 3 patients herd partial closures, and 1 pa tient's graft dislodged on the first postoperative day. Dermal grafts place d between mucoperichondrial flaps are a viable alternative for the closure of nasal septal perforations.