Experimental surgery on the nose. I. Airflow and goblet-cell density.

In rabbits the nasal vestibule was surgically occluded on one side. The rabbits were observed for varying periods, maximum 90 days. The mucosa of the septum was removed from both sides, stained by the PAS-alcian blue whole-mount method, and the goblet cells were counted. The difference in goblet-cell density between the occluded and open side of the nose was less than expected according to previous reports. A completely abolished air flow for 3 months caused only some increase in density. During the first 16 days there was an increase in density on the occluded as well as on the open side of the nose. This can hardly have been due to altered airflow, but must be attributed to an irritative action by the operation upon the nasal mucosa.