Questionable Effect of Crosshatching Incision in Septoplasty

OBJECTIVES: Crosshatching incision has been considered a useful method for correcting cartilaginous septal deviation. The aim of this study was to determine the utility and limitations of this approach. METHODS: This retrospective case-control study included 353 patients who underwent septoplasty performed by a senior surgeon between January 2004 and December 2010. Patients were classified into two groups according to whether crosshatching incision was performed (n=151) during septoplasty or not (n=202). All other techniques performed during septoplasty were identical. The parameters of surgical success (improvement of nasal obstruction, correction of deviation, and acoustic rhinometry results) and adverse effects were compared between the groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the parameters of surgical success between the groups (improvement of nasal obstruction, P=0.333; correction of deviation, P=0.608; acoustic rhinometry results, P=0.322 for the difference in the minimal cross-sectional area; P=0.919 for difference in volume). Relative to patients who did not undergo the cross-hatching incision, patients with whom the technique was performed showed a significantly higher incidence of saddle nose (0/202 vs. 4/151 cases, P=0.033) and overcorrection (0/202 vs. 5/151 cases, P=0.014). CONCLUSION: Crosshatching incision during septoplasty did not produce better surgical outcomes; however, it caused adverse effects such as saddle nose and overcorrection. Therefore, the use of crosshatching incision should be re-evaluated.