Nasal air conditioning in patients before and after septoplasty with bilateral turbinoplasty.

OBJECTIVE

Septoplasty is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures by ear, nose, and throat surgeons. Yet the objective control of success concerning septal surgery still is very difficult and causes controversy. Data concerning one of the main functions of the nose, namely the heating and humidification of inspired air, before and after nasal surgery, are still missing. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare intranasal air temperature and humidity values before and after septoplasty with bilateral turbinoplasty.

METHODS

Sixteen patients were included in this prospective study. Intranasal temperature and humidity were measured in the anterior turbinate area close to the head of the middle turbinate. A miniaturized thermocouple and a humidity sensor were applied for continuous intranasal detection.

RESULTS

Significant differences between temperature and humidity values before and after septoplasty could be observed, including absolute temperature, increase in temperature, absolute humidity, and increase in humidity. The postoperative values were significantly higher than the preoperative ones (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

According to the results of our study, patients seem to profit from septoplasty as heating and humidification as one of the most important nasal functions are restored and even improved after surgery. We therefore conclude that properly performed septoplasty is able to main its importance within the variety of nasal surgical procedures ensuring improved nasal function as well as patient contentment.