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Numerical simulation of intranasal air flow and temperature after resection of the turbinates
Joerg Lindemann1, Tilman Keck, Kerstin M Wiesmiller
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany. joerg.lindemann@medizin.uni-ulm.de
Background:
Radical surgical resection of the turbinates leads to a reduced intranasal air conditioning. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of turbinate resection on intranasal heating and airflow patterns using a numerical simulation.
Methods:
A bilateral model of the human nose with resection of the turbinates on one side based on a CT-scan was reconstructed. A numerical simulation applying the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver Fluent 6.1.22 was performed displaying inspiratory intranasal air temperature and airflow patterns.
Results:
Due to resection of the turbinates the airflow pattern is disturbed resulting in a spacious vortex throughout the entire nasal cavity. Hence, contact between air and surrounding nasal wall is less intense. Consequently, intranasal heating of the inspired air is relevantly reduced.
Conclusions:
Surgical resection of the turbinates leads to a disturbed intranasal air conditioning. The presented numerical simulation demonstrates the close relation between airflow patterns and heating.
