Three layer interlocking: a novel technique for repairing a nasal septum perforation.

OBJECTIVE: Many techniques to repair a septal perforation using local flaps with or without an interpositioning graft with various rates of success have been described. Our aim was to describe a new and relatively easy technique for repairing these perforations.

METHODS: Twenty-two patients with nasal septal perforations smaller than 2 cm in diameter were operated on between 2010 and 2012 at Eskişehir Osmangazi University. The described 3-layer interlocking method was applied to repair the septal perforation in all of the cases.

RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were operated on using this technique. The follow-up time ranged from 30 months to 10 months, with a mean follow-up time of 20.9 months. In 19 of the 22 patients, complete closure of the perforation was achieved (86.3%). We did not encounter any early or late postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION: A novel technique that uses a temporalis fascia-conchal cartilage complex as an interpositioning material to repair septal perforations is described. This complex was endoscopically introduced to the perforation after elevating the edges of the perforation. We concluded that the low morbidity, short operating time, and high success rate make this technique a good choice for repairing small- to medium-sized perforations.