New Description Method and Classification System for Septal Deviation

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to develop an efficient method of description and a new classification system for septal deviations (SD) and to study the applicability of the new description method and classification system to a clinical setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-five patients with nasal obstruction (symptomatic group) and thirty-five patients without nasal obstruction (asymptomatic group) were included in this prospective study. The characteristics of SD were analyzed according to the new description method based on the morphology, site, severity, and its influence on the external nose. Based on these observations, four classification categories of SD were introduced: localized deviation (type I), curved/angulated deviation (type II), curved/angulated deviation combined with type I (type III), and curved/angulated deviation with associated dorsal nasal deviation (type IV). The incidence of each type of SD was calculated. RESULTS: In both groups, all pathologies of the SD could be precisely described using the new description method. In both groups, the curved deviation (type II) was the most common pathology. Anterior/mid was the most common site of deviation. In the symptomatic group, moderate was the most common form of severity while mild was the most common form in the asymptomatic group. In both groups, type II was the most common. Types III and IV were significantly more common in the symptomatic group while type I was predominant in the asymptomatic group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The new description method provides a precise descriptive term for SD. The proposed classification system is suitable for documentation and determination of the severity of SD.