Nasal mucoliliary clearance in patients with septal deviation

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Rhinology
• Physiology

Background:

• Nasal septal deformities can impact sinonasal function.
• Mucociliary clearance is a crucial defense mechanism of the nasal mucosa.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate nasal mucociliary clearance in patients with septal deformities before and after septoplasty.
• To compare clearance rates with healthy individuals.
• To assess the utility of the saccharin-sky-blue test in this patient population.

Main Methods:

• The saccharin-sky-blue test was employed to measure nasal mucociliary clearance.
• Patients with septal deformities were studied pre- and post-operatively.
• Results were compared to a control group of healthy subjects.

Main Results:

• Pre-operative nasal clearance was significantly slower in patients with septal deformities compared to healthy individuals (p < 0.05).
• Mucociliostasis was observed in 21% of pre-operative measurements versus 3% in controls.
• Post-operative clearance normalized in most patients within 3 months, barring those with active infections.

Conclusions:

• Septal deformities significantly impair nasal mucociliary clearance.
• Septoplasty effectively restores normal nasal mucociliary function.
• The saccharin-sky-blue test is a valuable tool for assessing nasal mucociliary function in patients undergoing septoplasty.