The Swedish Quality Register for Septoplasty
The Swedish Quality Register for Septoplasty
The Swedish Quality Register for Septoplasty Surgery (SQRS) was established in 1997 and revised in 2013 and 2024. The SQRS records information on septoplasty procedures performed to improve breathing, with or without concurrent turbinate surgery, but does not include septoplasty combined with other sinonasal surgeries or rhinoplasty. Participation in the register is voluntary for both surgeons and surgical centres. Administration of the register is managed by a board on behalf of the Swedish Association for Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and is funded by the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions.
COVERAGE AND COMPLETENESS
Septoplasty is a regularly performed surgical procedure. In 2023, there were 2064 septoplasty procedures conducted in Sweden (population approximately 10 million). The coverage of the SQRS from 2004–2023 has increased; in 2023, 82% of all septoplasty procedures in Sweden were registered. In that year, 41 out of 43 (95%) Swedish surgical units participated in the SQRS. Coverage is calculated using the total number of septoplasty procedures registered in both the National Patient Register (NPR) and the SQRS as the denominator, and the number of procedures registered in the SQRS as the numerator. All healthcare providers in Sweden are required by law to report septoplasty procedures to the NPR.
Annual figures for the total number of septoplasty procedures in Sweden and corresponding SQRS coverage:
2019: 2,059 – 62.7 %
2020: 1,416 – 52.8 %
2021: 1,853 – 63.0 %
2022: 2,165 - 71.2 %
2023: 2,065 - 81.1 %
2024: 2,094 – 78.9 %
The register includes data on various clinical factors that may influence patient outcomes. Interactive statistics from the register are available (in Swedish) online, where data is updated daily regarding national and local clinical practice, complication rates, and efficacy rates.
HOW TO USE DATA
SQRS data can be utilized to identify areas for potential improvement and to support local quality development initiatives. The register also serves as a resource for research, supplementing randomized controlled trials due to the large volume of annual patient registrations. Several scientific studies have been published based on this data. Full publication details are accessible on the register’s publication page.
Latest update August 13 2025.