Septoplasty for recruited pilots:An analysis of 245 cases

Objective To analyze the feasibility of septoplasty for increasing the recruiting rate of pilots. Methods Two hundred and forty-five recruited candidates,who passed all physical examinations but deviation of nasal septum in 2005-2011,underwent septoplasty.The therapeutic effect of septoplasty on deviation of nasal septum was assessed and an overall physical examination conclusion was made 1 month after operation.The candidates for recruitment of pilots were followed up after overall physical examinations were over. Results Of the 245 pilot candidates,226（92.24%） reached the criteria for recruitment and 19 were not recruited including 8 due to poor nasal ventilation,5 due to high deviation of nasal septum,4 due to perforation of nasal septum,and 2 due to moderate to severe adhesion.The non-recruited rate was significantly lower in those with simple low deviation,spur or ridge of nasal septum,or without hypertrophy than in those with high deviation of nasal septum or turbinate（4.57% vs 18.75%,χ²=6.52,P＜0.05;5.32% vs 15.79%,P＜0.05） and in those who underwent operation in recommended hospitals than in those who underwent operation in hospitals selected by themselves（4.65% vs 15.07%,χ²=7.77,P＜0.01）.One hundred and sixty-five（67.35%） candidates were recruited after operation and 61 were not recruited due to non nasal diseases. Conclusion Nasal endoscopy minimally invasive septoplasty performed for deviation of nasal septum can increase the recruitment rate of pilots.