TY - JOUR
AU - Farkas, Leslie G.
AB - ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that surgery on the growing nasal septum does not adversely affect nasal and midfacial dimensions.DesignPaired study.SettingTertiary care center.ParticipantsChildren treated consecutively during a 4-year period; all had significant nasal obstruction and cosmetic disfigurement secondary to skeletal septal deformities.InterventionNasal septal surgery (using an external approach), in which the quadrilateral cartilage was removed, remodeled, and reinserted as a free graft.Outcome MeasuresAnthropometric linear measurements and indexes of the face and nose preoperatively and postoperatively; nasal dorsum length, nasal height, nasal dorsum index, nasal tip protrusion, columellar length, facial height, face width, upper face height, facial index, nose–upper face height index, and columellar length–nasal tip protrusion index. Continuous measurements were transformed into ordered categories with reference to normative data. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed rank sum test (α level of .05) and by applying the Bonferroni adjustment for multiple testing.ResultsTwenty-six children were studied (12 females and 14 males); age at surgery ranged from 4.5 to 15.5 years (mean age, 9.5 years); average age at postoperative measurement, 12.5 years; mean follow-up, 3.1 years. Only nasal dorsum length (P= .007) and nasal tip protrusion (P= .04) were decreased by a statistically significant level before the Bonferroni adjustment. The change was not considered clinically significant. Thus, relative to age-appropriate norms, the dimensions of the nose and midface and their proportionality did not change after surgery.ConclusionsAppropriate nasal septal surgery involving excision and subsequent reinsertion of a remodeled segment of the quadrilateral cartilage has no deleterious effects on development of the nose and midface. We question the absolute dogma that nasal surgery in children must always be avoided.SURGERY ON the growing nasal septum has always been the epicenter of debates. The sources of such debates are the controversial findings and views found in human and animal studies. As observed by Freng and Haye,views based on animal studies vary according to the model implemented (species, surgical procedure, and age of animals). At the same time, interventional clinical studies in humans have failed to provide good evidence for accepted practice. Consequently, blanket statements urging caution are common in the literature, as Gilbert et alwrite:Because the quadrilateral septal cartilage is the keystone in development of the profile projection of the cartilaginous vault, dare we either chip away at it or even undermine it without fear of subsequent interference with the continuous profile growth of the cartilaginous vault in children?(p677)The conclusion of Farrior and Connollyafter their review of the literature appears fairly balanced, despite the lack of supporting evidence. They recommended that surgery (as conservative as possible) be delayed until nearly full development has taken place, unless marked disturbance in function or distortion exists that also interferes with growth and facial development.All human studies of pediatric septoplasty will, unavoidably, be confounded by the previous trauma and its effects, making it difficult to attribute to either the surgery or the trauma any retardation of growth detected. However, critical reading of the main published clinical series in the English literature (Table 1) disclosed some avoidable faults in execution and design.The investigators used either subjective outcome measures or objective measures, with no control subjects or longitudinal follow-up. The processes of analysis and extrapolation were further confounded by the inclusion of patients who had undergone septal surgery that used various techniques, osteotomies, and other rhinoplasty maneuvers. This diversity adds to the difficulty in drawing conclusions that are based on the type of surgery performed.Table 1. Major Clinical Studies in Pediatric Septoplasty*SourceNo. of PatientsDesignOCMRhinoplastySeptoplastyApproachCrysdale and Tatham,198515RetrospectiveSubjectiveYesMixture of techniquesOpenWalker et al,199316RetrospectiveNasal airflow studies (9)YesExcision and reimplantationOpenAnthropometry (10)Bejar et al,199633RetrospectiveAnthropometry (10)YesExcision and reimplantationOpenTriglia et al,199028RetrospectiveSubjectiveYesMixture of techniquesOpen (20)Closed (8)Jugo,198724RetrospectiveSubjectiveNoExcision and reimplantationOpenOrtiz-Monasterio and Olmedo,198144RetrospectiveSubjective CephalometryYesMixture of techniques (23)ClosedJennes and Waterbury,19648Case reportsSubjectiveNoMixture of techniquesClosedHealy,198610RetrospectiveSubjectiveNoMorselization and replacementSublabial*All studies used descriptive analysis. Data in parentheses are number of patients. OCM indicates outcome measures.The present work was undertaken to reconcile some of these problems through a paired design study that compared preoperative with postoperative anthropometric measurements. We tested the hypothesis that septal surgery in children using the quadrilateral cartilage as a free graft after reshaping it does not cause significant growth retardation postoperatively.MATERIALS AND METHODSThe database kept by one of us (W.S.C.) holds the medical records of patients who have undergone septoplasty and/or rhinoplasty and were treated during a 13-year period (1986-1999). All patients whose anthropometric measurements were recorded preoperatively were identified. Preoperative anthropometric measurements have been recorded routinely by one of us (W.S.C.) since early 1995. For the purpose of this investigation, we included only those patients whose septoplasty had been performed via the external approach and in whom the free graft technique (previously described) had been used. We considered only those who had undergone the procedure before 16 years of age, as different nasal measurements reach maturation at variable ages (between 14 and 16 years), and these vary further between sexes.Subsequent to approval by the relevant ethics committee, the patients' addresses and telephone numbers were retrieved from the Health Records department of The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario. The patients were then contacted by mail and telephone and solicited to attend a specific appointment at the Craniofacial Measurements Laboratory at The Hospital for Sick Children. The consent of parents and children were obtained as appropriate, after explanation of the purpose of the examination.The measurements were performed by one of us (L.G.F.) according to a standard technique with the use of sliding and spreading calipers,and proportions were calculated using standard formulae.The anthropometric linear measurements used are illustrated in Figure 1, and the indexes were calculated from their values. Although the linear measurements are individual dimensions in their own right, the indexes or proportions demonstrate the harmony between these dimensions. Together, they indicate some aspects of nasal and facial growth.Figure 1.Anatomical landmarks for linear anthropometric measurements. n Indicates nasion; prn, pronasale; sn, subnasale; sto, stomion; zy, zygion; gn, gnathion; and c′, apex of columella.The variables used as outcome measures (many of which are illustrated in Figure 1) were as follows:Nasal dorsum lengthNasal heightNasal index or (n to prn)/(n to sn), ie, the nasal dorsum length (nasion [n] to pronasale [prn]) divided by the nasal dorsum height (n to subnasale [sn])Collumellar lengthNasal tip protrusionColumellar length–nasal tip protrusion index or (sn to c′)/(sn to prn), ie, the relationship between the columellar length (sn to apex of columella [c′]) and the nasal tip protrusion (sn to prn)Facial heightFace widthFacial index or (n to gn)/(zy to zy), ie, the relationship between the facial height (n to gnation [gn]) and the face width (distance from one zygion [zy] to the other)Upper face heightNose–upper face height index or (n to sn)/(n to sto), ie, the relationship between the nasal height (n to sn) and the upper face height (n to sto).All measurements were in millimeters.The linear measurements and indexes before and after surgery were transformed into 1 of 5 possible ordered categories (−2, −1, 0, 1, and 2). These indicate whether the measured variable is subnormal, borderline small, optimal, borderline large, or supernormal, respectively, as compared with documented norms of North American whites.An optimal measurement or proportion is within 1 SD from the mean, whereas borderline (small or large) values lie within 2 SDs. Abnormally large or small measurements are those values beyond 2 SDs from the mean.The Wilcoxon signed rank test was applied to the paired differences between each of the ordered measurements to determine whether they changed after surgery. A Bonferroni adjustment for multiple testing was performed (κ × P), and the interpretation of our results was based on the adjusted Pvalues. Ninety-five percent confidence intervals were computed for the medians of the paired differences.RESULTSThe spreadsheet from the computerized database (created using Microsoft Excel software [Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash]) contains records of 295 patients who were operated on between January 1, 1986, and December 31, 1999, in The Hospital for Sick Children. We identified 40 patients who qualified for the entry criteria. Eight patients could not be contacted with the available addresses or telephone numbers, and we had no access to their new locations. The remaining 32 were contacted by mail and telephone and were invited for follow-up. Only 1 parent declined initially, and another 5 patients failed to attend.The study patients were treated between March 1, 1995, and December 31, 1999. Their follow-up ranged from 10 months to 5.4 years (mean, 3.1 years). Twelve were females and 14 were males, with an age range (at operation) from 4.5 to 15.5 years (mean age, 9.5 years). (Average age at postoperative measurement, 12.5 years.) Seven patients had isolated cleft lip and/or palate and 1 had Crouzon syndrome; 16 had previously undergone septoplasty. The patients fell into 4 different ethnic groups: most (n = 14) were whites of European descent, 7 were East Indians, 4 were whites of Middle Eastern descent, and 1 was West Indian.Altogether, 26 rhinoplasty maneuvers were performed in addition to the free-graft septoplasty in all the patients: 14 dorsal grafts, 4 columellar struts, 4 dome sutures, 2 lower lateral cartilage trimmings, and 2 tip grafts. None of the patients underwent an osteotomy. Only 2 postoperative complications had been recorded: 1 vestibular granuloma that required resection and 1 postoperative epistaxis that required packing for control.The variables for all patients were available for analysis, with 3 exceptions. One measurement for the columellar length was not documented. Also, in both the columellar length–nasal tip protrusion index and nose–upper face height index, there were no available norms for children younger than 5 years,which led to the omission of 1 patient who was aged 4½ years at the time of surgery.The details of the paired analysis are presented in Table 2and Table 3. They demonstrate that only 2 of the differences between the medians were statistically significant before the Bonferroni adjustment (the nasal dorsum length [P= .007] and nasal tip protrusion [P= .04]). After adjustment (multiplication by the number of variables, ie, 11), this significance was lost. Two more important observations support this notion. First, if the confidence intervals are examined, it will be observed that they all encompass the 0, ie, no difference between medians, indicating that the significance of the Pvalues is not supported. Second, the median differences are either 0 or 0.5; in other words, the change is less than 1 ordered category, which cannot be clinically significant. Also, none of the indexes changed significantly, since they represent proportionality measures between individual linear dimensions.Table 2. Results of Paired Analysis for Linear Anthropometric Measurements, Comparing Preoperative and Postoperative Status*Linear MeasurementNo. of PatientsWilcoxon StatisticPValueDifference, Median (95% CI)Nasal dorsum length2674.0.0070.5 (0.0 to 1.0)Nasal height2656.0.850 (−0.5 to 0.5)Columellar length2516.0.480 (−0.5 to 0.0)Nasal tip protrusion2619.5.04−0.5 (−0.5 to 0.0)Face height2612.0.800 (0.0)Face width2614.0.530 (0.0)Upper face height2642.0.830 (−0.5 to 0.5)*Pvalues depicted are before Bonferroni adjustment, ie, multiplication by 11. CI indicates confidence interval.Table 3. Results of Paired Analysis for Indexes, Comparing Preoperative and Postoperative Status*IndexesNo. of PatientsWilcoxon StatisticPValueDifference, Median (95% CI)Nasal2648.0.200 (0.0 to 0.5)Facial2536.0.840 (−0.5 to 0.0)Columellar length–nasal tip protrusion2475.0.740 (−0.5 to 0.5)Nose−upper face height2547.0.230 (0.0 to 0.5)*Pvalues depicted are before Bonferroni adjustment, ie, multiplication by 11. CI indicates confidence interval.However, since the 2 variables under scrutiny are a reflection of the length of the nose, there may be a trend toward some shortening of the noses that were operated on. The data pertaining to the nasal dorsum length in particular is described in Figure 2. The numbers of the patients in each ordered category are plotted for preoperative and postoperative status. Note that the numbers of patients are increasing in the categories indicating smaller lengths. This strengthens the impression of the trend already mentioned.Figure 2.Number of patients in each ordered category for nasal dorsum length (nasion to pronasale) before and after surgery.COMMENTOur study documents that these children did not exhibit clinically significant retardation of growth after external approach septoplasty using quadrilateral cartilage as a free graft. This extrapolation derives from the categorization of the postoperative anthropometric measurements in relation to documented norms for North American whites, which was not significantly different from the preoperative status. However, there is an observed trend for the noses operated on to shorten, as noted in the results of 2 variables.This is the first longitudinal clinical study on pediatric septoplasty, to our knowledge, to use objective measures in a paired design. With individual patients acting as their own controls, the confounding effect of the heterogeneity of the sample (ie, inclusion of patients with craniofacial abnormalities and various ethnic origins) is overcome. Objections may be raised that the norms used are those based on North American whites. However, since we used the order of the categorization to facilitate analysis rather than its implications with regard to normality (as Bejar et aldid), the issue has less bearing on the final conclusions. The current study has its shortcomings. We are aware that the sample size is a limiting factor. Also, the measurements had been taken at different points in time after surgery for individual subjects.At this stage, and since the study contributes significantly to the debate on pediatric septoplasty, it is appropriate to review the results of work performed in animals. Experimental reports are divided to some extent. Destructive procedures on the nasal septum, including resection of the mucoperichondrium in addition to the cartilage, were found to result in significant deformity and growth retardation in rodents.Others have reproduced the same results in the same species, even though they preserved the mucoperichondrium.On the other hand, procedures preserving the mucoperichondrium, especially those with reimplantation of resected cartilage, produced feweror noadverse results.In most of the studies cited, and where histological examination had been performed, evidence of cartilage regeneration and survival after autotransplantation had been documented. After noting these facts and the occurrence of duplications and deviations after the use of autografts, Nolst Trenite and colleaguesstated that possible adjustments in operative techniques to achieve a better connection between parts of septal cartilage with a prolonged fixation of the septum in the midline might be required for successful pediatric septoplasty.Finally, it is pertinent to examine some of the literature that deals with patterns of growth of the nasal septal cartilage. In this context, Van Loosen and coworkers had shown in 1996and 1997that the growth of the nasal septum decelerates remarkably after age 2 years and that it reaches a plateau by age 36 years. They also postulated that the septal cartilage reaches adult size by age 2 years and that further growth occurs courtesy of the bony perpendicular plate. They did not document any particular spurts of growth at any ages. Recent work from Braziladds that there is histological evidence of a reduction in the rate of growth of the quadrilateral cartilage by age 5 years and that deceleration starts by age 8 years.The philosophy of the intervention used in this group of patients respects these issues. This intervention is based on a conservative technique that emphasizes precision in the preparation of a carefully sized and shaped graft and in its method of fixation.Equally important are the patient choice and the indication for surgery. The age limit has never fallen below 6 years, except for one of the patients in this series who had documented sleep apnea due to nasal airway obstruction that was subsequently relieved by surgery. The indication for this type of surgery is severe nasal obstruction associated with external deformity. In particular, septal deformities anterior to the anterior nasal spine are the specific abnormality addressed by this technique. These patients are always scrutinized for causes of obstruction other than the septum.In conclusion, we believe that, where indicated, reconstructive septal surgery does not cause significant growth retardation in children. Achievement of these results will only be possible by using a technique that preserves the integrity of the mucoperichondrium and restores skeletal continuity (by using refashioned quadrilateral cartilage as free graft) as much as possible, along with meticulous fixation of the reconstructed septum. This is not an open invitation for septal surgery in any deviated pediatric nasal septum or by an inexperienced surgeon.AFrengRHayeExperimental nasal septoplasty; influence on nasomaxillary development: a roentgen cephalometric study in growing domestic cat.Acta Otolaryngol.1985;100:309-315.JGGilbertRHeightsSSegalGrowth of the nose and the septorhinoplastic problem in youth.Arch Otolaryngol.1958;68:673-682.RTFarriorMEConnollySeptorhinoplasty in children.Otolaryngol Clin North Am.1970;3:345-364.MLJennesCWaterburyCorrective nasal surgery in children: long-term results.Arch Otolaryngol.1964;79:145-151.FOrtiz-MonasterioAOlmedoCorrective rhinoplasty before puberty: a long-term follow-up.Plast Reconstr Surg.1981;68:381-390.WCrysdaleBTathamExternal septorhinoplasty in children.Laryngoscope.1985;95:12-16.GBHealyAn approach to the nasal septum in children.Laryngoscope.1986;96:1239-1242.SJugoTotal septal reconstruction through decortication (external) approach in children.Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.1987;113:173-178.J-MTrigliaMCannoniAPechSeptorhinoplasty in children: benefits of the external approach.J Otolaryngol.1990;19:274-278.PJWalkerWCrysdaleLFarkasExternal septorhinoplasty in children: outcome and effect on growth of septal excision and reimplantation.Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.1993;119:984-989.IBejarLGFarkasAHMessnerWSCrysdaleNasal growth after external septoplasty in children.Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.1996;122:816-821.WCrysdalePJWalkerExternal septorhinoplasty in children: patient selection and surgical technique.J Otolaryngol.1994;23:28-31.WCrysdaleExternal septoplasty in children.J Otolaryngol.1996;25:257-260.LGFarkasJCPosnickGrowth and development of regional units in the head and face based on anthropometric measurements.Cleft Palate Craniofac J.1992;29:301-302.LGFarkasAnthropometry of the Head and Face in Medicine.2nd ed. New York, NY: Raven Press; 1994:241-336.LGFarkasAnthropometric Facial Proportions in Medicine.Springfield, Ill: Charles C Thomas Publisher; 1987:29-55.DGAltmanClinical trials.In: Practical Statistics for Medical Research.London, England: Chapman & Hall; 1996:440-476.MRWexlerBGSarnatRabbit snout growth.Arch Otolaryngol.1961;74:305-313.BGSarnatMRWexlerGrowth of the face and jaws after resection of the septal cartilage in the rabbit.Am J Anat.1966;118:755-767.JONordgaardSKvinnslandInfluence of submucous septal resection on facial growth in the rat.Plast Reconstr Surg.1979;64:84-88.GJNolst TreniteCDVerwoerdHLVerwoerd-VerhoefReimplantation of autologous septal cartilage in the growing nasal septum, I: the influence of resection and reimplantation of septal cartilage upon nasal growth: an experimental study in rabbits.Rhinology.1987;25:225-236.LBernsteinEarly submucous resection of nasal septal cartilage: a pilot study in canine pups.Arch Otolaryngol.1973;97:273-278.AFrengMid-facial sagittal growth following resection of the nasal septum–vomer: a roentgencephalometric study in the domestic cat.Acta Otolaryngol.1981;92:363-370.JVan LoosenGAVan ZantenCVHowardHLVerwoerd-VerhoefDVan VelzenCDVerwoerdGrowth characteristics of the human nasal septum.Rhinology.1996;34:78-82.JVan LoosenRJBaatenburg de JongGAVan ZantenTEngelDNLanjewarDVan VelzenA cephalometric analysis of nasal septal growth.Clin Otolaryngol.1997;22:453-458.PSGPereiraJKKajiwaraMGrelletA morphologic study of human quadrilateral cartilage: implications for child surgery.Paper presented at: the Ninth International Rhinologic Congress; September 22, 2000; Washington, DC.Accepted for publication June 20, 2001.Corresponding author and reprints: Hamdy El-Hakim, FRCSEd(Orl), Otolaryngology Department, Ward 45, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB9 2ZB, Scotland (e-mail: helhakim@aol.com).
TI - A Study of Anthropometric Measures Before and After External Septoplasty in Children
JF - JAMA Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery
DO - 10.1001/archotol.127.11.1362
DA - 2001-11-01
UR - https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/american-medical-association/a-study-of-anthropometric-measures-before-and-after-external-63H0RgdiBz
SP - 1362
EP - 1366
VL - 127
IS - 11
DP - DeepDyve
ER -