Open versus endoscopic septoplasty: a single-blinded, randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: A deviated septum can be corrected by either a conventional "open" or endoscopic approach. Controversy exists regarding comparative outcomes between these two techniques. Our objective was to compare the two according to subjective and objective criteria. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, single-blinded, randomized, controlled trial. METHODS: Over a 6-month period, all patients diagnosed with a septal deviation meeting strict inclusion/exclusion criteria were recruited. Patients were randomly assigned to either the conventional or the endoscopic group. Outcome measures included surgical time, intraoperative complications, and pre- and postoperative data from the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) questionnaire. Chi-square and t-tests were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients were enrolled in the study: 32 in the endoscopic group and 31 in the conventional group. There were subjective postoperative improvements in the NOSE scores across all participants and within both groups (endoscopic: preoperative mean score  =  14.7, postoperative mean score  =  7.4, p < .05; conventional: preoperative mean score  =  15.2, postoperative mean score  =  6.3, p < .05), with no differences found between groups (p  =  .61). However, objective outcomes such as operative time (p < .001) and intraoperative complications (p  =  .01) favoured the endoscopic group. CONCLUSION: The endoscopic approach for septoplasty may be considered superior to the traditional approach for the correction of septal deviation.