Abstract Introduction The bone-anchored hearing implant system (BAHS) is an effective amplification system that transmits the sounds received by an external operating system to the inner ear by bypassing the middle ear placed in the temporal bone. Objective This study compares the results of patients who underwent bone-anchored hearing implant system (BAHS) surgery using two different surgical methods in terms of preoperative and postoperative complications, surgical time, audiological findings, and patient satisfaction. Methods The results of 22 patients who underwent BAHS were evaluated retrospectively from video records and audiological results, The Turkish Version of the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) questionnaire were evaluated. Two different surgical approaches were used for implantation: the linear incision technique (n = 9) and the punch technique (n = 13). Results Mean surgical durations were 9.67 ± 2.85 and 47.65 ± 6.13 minutes for Groups A and B, respectively, and these were significantly different (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the groups’ speech recognition scores for a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of +5 (p = 0.173), SNR of 0 (p = 0.315), or SNR of -5 (p = 0.360) and results of the GBI scores. Conclusion The punch technique has a significant advantage due to a shorter surgery duration without increased surgical complications. Additionally, the punch technique showed no significant difference in hearing performance or satisfaction compared with linear incision.

INTRODUÇÃO: Não existe consenso acerca do tempo de permanência de splintsnasais no pós-operatório de cirurgias no septo. A pressão causada pelos mesmos na mucosa nasal pode causar necrose e perfurações septais.OBJETIVOS: Investigar mudanças histopatológicas da mucosa nasal causadas por splints nasais em coelhos.MÉTODO: Nenhum splint foi utilizado no grupo A. Splintsde silicone foram utilizados por 5, 10 e 15 dias nos grupos B, C e D, respectivamente. Biópsia da mucosa nasal foi realizada após a remoção dos mesmos. Avaliações histopatológicas foram realizadas, e a gravidade e a profundidade do processo inflamatório foram medidas.RESULTADOS: Grupo A apresentou uma aparência histológica normal. Comparações de resultados entre os grupos B, C e D com o grupo A demonstraram diferenças estatísticas relevantes na gravidade histopatológica. Não houve diferenças estatísticas relevantes entre os grupos B e D, assim como entre os grupos C e D.CONCLUSÃO: De acordo com os resultados, quanto maior a duração no uso de splints nasais maior o risco de perfuração septal. Portanto, a remoção de splints nasais deve ser realizada assim que possível, prevenindo potenciais perfurações.

INTRODUCTION: There is no consensus on duration of the nasal splint after nasal septum surgeries. The pressure of nasal splint on the mucosa may cause tissue necrosis and nasal septum perforation.OBJECTIVES: To investigate the histopathological changes of the nasal mucosa caused by nasal splints in a rabbit model.METHODS: No splint was used in group A. Bilateral silicone nasal splints were placed for five, ten, and 15 days in groups B, C, and D, respectively. Biopsy of the nasal mucosa was performed after removal of splint. Histopathologic evaluations were performed. The severity and depth of the inflammation were scored.RESULTS: Group A had a normal histological appearance. Comparison of the results of groups B, C, and D with group A demonstrated statistically significant differences with regards to the severity of histopathological findings. There was no statistically significant difference between groups B and C. There were statistically significant differences between the groups B and D, and also between groups C and D.CONCLUSIONS: Longer duration of nasal splint had a higher risk for septal perforation. Therefore, removal of the splint as soon as possible may be helpful for preventing potential perforations.