Evaluation of the efficacy of functional endoscopic instrumental correction of post-traumatic external nasal deformity using a novel instrument (a chisel with integrated suction)

objective. To enhance the efficacy of endoscopic correction of the external nose and reduce the postoperative rehabilitation time for patients with post-traumatic nasal deformity (PTND) by using a novel instrument (a chisel with integrated suction). Patients and methods. A comparative study involving 100 patients with PTND, divided into two equal groups, was carried out. In the study group, surgical intervention was performed using the novel instrument, while the control group underwent surgery using a conventional technique with standard instruments. The duration of surgery, postoperative edema and hematoma severity (assessed using a visual analogue scale), nasal breathing, and total rehabilitation time were evaluated. Results. The use of the novel instrument reduced the median operative time from 66.5 to 29.5 minutes (p<0.001). The severity of edema and hematomas was significantly lower in the study group on days 5 and 14 postoperatively (p<0.001). By the 3rd month, normal breathing was observed more frequently in the study group patients (36% vs. 10% in the control; p<0.001), although these differences disappeared at the 1-year follow-up (80% vs. 72%; p=0.349). The median duration of temporary disability also differed significantly between the groups (10 days vs. 7 days; p<0.001). Conclusion. The developed instrument and technique for endoscopic correction of the external nose enable less traumatic osteotomy, reduce operative and recovery times, improve early functional outcomes, and decrease the severity and duration of postoperative symptoms.