Effect of facial burns on the nasal mucosa

In this study the nasal mucosa of patients who had recently sustained facial burns was examined endoscopically. The saccharin clearance test was performed as a measure of nasal mucociliary transport. All the patients had singed nasal hairs, but none had inflammatory changes extending beyond the nasal valve. In only one patient was the saccharin clearance prolonged beyond 20 min, and only one patient developed nasal obstruction postburn. This study shows that the nasal mucosa is resistant to damage when the face is burned, suggesting the nose is an efficient heat exchanger, and the nasal mucosa should preserve its capacity to absorb drugs.