Long-term complications of septal dermoplasty in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery [Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg] Journal article

OBJECTIVE: Septal dermoplasty has been recommended as the treatment of choice for life-threatening epistaxis in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. This study evaluates the complications of septal dermoplasty in the management of transfusion-dependent epistaxis.
STUDY DESIGN: Consecutive retrospective study.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Between 1994 and 2006, septal dermoplasty was performed on 106 consecutive patients with transfusion dependent epistaxis. Of 103 potential patients, 37 either died or were lost to follow-up, which left 66 patients for study. Data on complications and quality of life were collected on 50 (76%) of 66 patients (mean follow-up, 3.75 years) via phone interview.
RESULTS: Seventy-eight percent experienced nasal odor; 72% had nasal crusting; 58% had decreased sense of smell; 30% noted worsened sinus infection; 88% could breathe through their nose; 86% stated improved quality of life.
CONCLUSION: Septal dermoplasty remains an effective way of treating transfusion dependent epistaxis in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia and subjectively improves their quality of life.

Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery [Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg]