Repair of nasal septal perforation with "cross-stealing" technique.

Background: The aim of this study was to reveal the efficacy of the "cross-stealing" technique in the repair of nasal septal perforation.

Methods: In a prospective clinical investigation, 10 patients with the complaints of crusting, bleeding, whistling, nasal obstruction, and pain and in whom septal perforation was detected underwent surgery by endonasal approach between April 2006 and January 2008. During surgery, the inferior-based mucoperichondrial flap was prepared on one side, the superior-based mucoperichondrial flap was prepared on the other side of the nasal septum, and they were passed to the opposite side through perforation. Interpositional graft was placed between flaps and sutured. Patients were followed for a minimum of 5 months before the evaluation of the results.

Results: Complete closure was observed in 7 of 10 (70%) patients and partial closure was observed in 1 patient. In 2 patients perforation was not closed and its size remained unchanged.

Conclusion: The cross-stealing technique is advantageous in anterior-located septal perforations in that it can be performed endonasally and it is physiological. Because flaps are prepared in a vertical direction, it can be used only in small and middle-sized perforations, which restricts its use.