Disorders of the Septum and Lateral Nasal Wall in Candidates for Septorhinoplasty: A Study in a University Hospital in Rasht, Northern Iran

Background and Objective: Among facial plastic surgical procedures, septorhinoplasty is deemed the most complex. A critical stage in this process is the effective handling of variations in the septum and turbinate. This research aimed to assess the differences and pathological irregularities in the septum and lateral nasal wall of patients scheduled for septorhinoplasty at a university-based hospital in northern Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study focused on all septorhinoplasty candidates aged between 18-60 years. Observations during surgery, such as the location and category of septal abnormalities, and the location and type of lateral nasal wall abnormalities (including lower and middle turbinate hypertrophy, concha bullosa, and paradoxical turbinate) were meticulously documented and analyzed. Results: Of the 672 participants, 469 patients (69.8%) presented with septum abnormalities, while 143 patients (21.3%) demonstrated disorders of the lateral nasal wall. The most frequent findings were spurred vomer (24.6%) and lower turbinate hypertrophy (46.9%). Conclusion: Given the broad range and high incidence of disorders in the septum and lateral nasal wall, it is reasonable to routinely incorporate radiological investigations into the preoperative assessment of surgical candidates. This approach can potentially identify pathological findings, minimize postoperative complications, and optimize the surgical outcomes.