Objective To assess the clinical effectiveness of septoplasty.
Design Multicentre, randomised controlled trial.
Setting 17 otolaryngology clinics in the UK’s National Health Service.
Participants 378 adults (≥18 years, 67% men) newly referred with symptoms of nasal obstruction associated with septal deviation and at least moderate symptoms of nasal obstruction (score >30 on the Nasal Obstruction and Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale).
Interventions Participants were randomised 1:1 to receive either septoplasty (n=188) or defined medical management (n=190, nasal steroid and saline spray for six months), stratified by baseline symptom severity and sex.
Main outcome measures The primary outcome measure was patient reported score on the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22) at six months, with 9 points defined as the minimal clinically important difference. Secondary outcomes included quality of life and objective nasal airflow measures.
Results Mean SNOT-22 scores at six months
Dr Max Mclean (pictured), the chairman of Bradford Teaching Hospitals trust, has quit in protest over the handling of the scandal and alleged failings of the trust s chief executive Professor Mel Pickup.