Andrey MAKAROV, Natalya KORABLEVA, Pavel PAVLOV, Mikhail DOKHOV
Turkish Journal of Surgery - 2026;42(1):131-139
Objective: Bioresorbable poly-D-L-lactic acid (PDLLA) plates are increasingly used in rhinoseptoplasty due to their biocompatibility, adequate initial mechanical strength, and complete resorption over time. These properties may offer advantages over permanent implants, particularly in complex cases involving post-traumatic nasal deformity. To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of PDLLA plates in achieving functional and aesthetic outcomes in primary and reconstructive rhinoseptoplasty. Material and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 37 consecutive patients [23 men, 14 women; median age 37 years, interquartile range (IQR) 30-44] who underwent rhinoseptoplasty between January 2022 and December 2024. The minimum follow-up was 3 months. Primary endpoints included septal stability, complication profile (e.g., infection, extrusion, resorption issues), and patient-reported outcomes. Subjective nasal appearance and symptom burden were assessed using the validated Standardized Cosmesis and Health Nasal Outcomes Survey (SCHNOS). In select cases requiring revision, histopathological evaluation of implantation sites was performed at 12 and 24 months. Results: He use of pure PDLLA plates provided reliable septal stabilization and facilitated precise dorsal alignment, eliminating the need for autologous graft harvesting in 83.8% of cases. No plate-related infections, extrusions, or delayed resorption events were observed. Patient-reported symptom burden, as measured by the SCHNOS score, improved markedly from a median of 21 (IQR: 15-26) preoperatively to 1 (IQR: 0-1) postoperatively. Histology confirmed complete material resorption by 24 months, with mature collagenous remodeling and an absence of chronic inflammatory infiltrate. Conclusion: In carefully selected patients, PDLLA plates appear to be a biocompatible and technically feasible adjunct in rhinoseptoplasty, facilitating septal reconstruction, eliminating donor-site morbidity, and yielding improvements in both patient-reported nasal function and aesthetic outcomes. These preliminary findings support further investigation in larger, controlled studies.
