Rhinoseptoplasty in children()

INTRODUCTION: Untreated septal and/or nasal pyramid deviation in children should be corrected as soon as possible, because they can result in esthetic or functional problems years later. OBJECTIVE: To report the surgical experience in treating children with nasal septum and/or nasal pyramid deviation. METHODS: Review of medical records of 202 children, 124 (61.4%) males and 78 (38.6%) females, between 4 and 16 years of age (M = 11 years) who underwent rhinoplasty and/or septoplasty in a Pediatric Otolaryngology Service of the Dept. of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery between January 1994 and January 2010. RESULTS: Septoplasty performed in 157 cases (77.7%); rhinoseptoplasty in 23 cases (11.4%), and rhinoplasty in 22 cases (10.9%). CONCLUSION: Nasal changes should be corrected in children, in order to provide harmonious growth, and prevent severe sequelae found in mouth breathers.