Septal Perforation Repair Quality of Life Outcomes Using the Revised 15-item Glasgow Benefit Inventory

Background: The 18-item Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) has been widely used to measure patient general health response to otorhinolaryngologic and facial plastic interventions. The GBI was recently reorganized into 15 questions with 5 sub-scale factors (GBI-5F) to improve its utility. Application of the GBI-5F to septal perforation treatments may improve our understanding of quality of life outcomes. Methodology/Principal: The GBI was given to patients seen from August 2018 through October 2021 who were at least 6 months postoperative attempted perforation surgical closure using bilateral nasal mucosal flaps with an interposition graft. Original GBI and GBI-5F scores were computed and subgroup analysis performed in this retrospective medical record review. Results: Of the 98 patients (mean age 45.5 years) who met study criteria, 65 were female. Mean perforation length was 12.9, and height 9.7 mm. The mean postoperative time to GBI completion was 12.7 months. Highest GBI-5F scores were noted in the Quality of Life factor, followed by Self-confidence and Social Involvement. Females reported significantly higher scores than men. Total GBI scores were similar to those recorded for other rhinologic procedures. Conclusions: The GBI-5F provides measurable insight into patient quality of life benefit following septal perforation repair.