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The relationship between middle ear pressure and deviated nasal septum
1ENT Department, Hope Hospital, Manchester, UK.
Clinical Otolaryngology and Allied Sciences
|August 1, 1993
Summary
Deviated nasal septum surgery significantly improves middle ear pressure (MEP) in the blocked nasal passage. Post-operative MEP increases correlated with improved nasal airway symmetry, benefiting ear health.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Medical Engineering
Background:
- Deviated nasal septum can lead to middle ear issues, especially on the obstructed side.
- Understanding the relationship between nasal obstruction and middle ear pressure is crucial for patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if middle ear pressure (MEP) correlates with nasal obstruction severity from a deviated septum.
- To evaluate changes in MEP after septal surgery.
Main Methods:
- Nasal patency (peak nasal inspiratory flowmeter) and MEP (tympanometry) measured pre- and post-operatively in 55 patients.
- Linear regression analysis used to assess correlations.
Main Results:
- Pre-operative MEP in the blocked ear was -25.7 +/- 28.4 mm water, significantly increasing to -2.9 +/- 30.4 mm water post-surgery (P < 0.001).
- Pre-operative MEP inversely related to nasal passage patency difference (r = -0.32, P < 0.02).
- Post-operative MEP improvement correlated with reduced airway asymmetry (r = 0.56, P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Septal surgery effectively improves middle ear pressure in patients with deviated nasal septums.
- Restoring nasal airway symmetry post-surgery positively impacts middle ear function.