Experimental nasal obstruction and changes in the arterial blood gases

This is a controlled animal experiment in which the effect of chronic nasal obstruction on the arterial blood gases was studied. Sixty female New Zealand Albino rabbits, in groups of 3 litter mates were assigned to 3 groups: control, unilateral nasal obstruction, and bilateral nasal obstruction. Nasal obstruction was produced using coagulating electro-cautery and the values of pO2, pCO2 and pH in the arterial blood were studied. In animals with unilateral nasal obstruction the blood gas values were similar to those in the control group. In animals with bilateral nasal obstruction there was a marked fall in pO2 and a marked increase in pCO2. These changes were statistically significant, but there was no significant change in arterial pH in any of the obstructed groups.