Intranasal temperature and humidity profile in patients with nasal septal perforation before and after surgical closure

Common complaints of patients with a nasal septal perforation are crusting, dryness and bleeding, As shown previously, intranasal humidity values are significantly lower in patients with a septal perforation compared with hea lthy volunteers. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of su rgical closure of septal perforations on intranasal temperature and humidit y, and to evaluate changes in clinical symptoms after surgery. Ten patients with septal perforations were included in the study. Intranasal temperatur e and humidity were measured at the nasal valve and anterior turbinate area s before and after surgical closure. Clinical symptoms were assessed using a nasal symptom score. The end-inspiratory humidity values were significant ly (P less than or equal to 0.05) higher postoperatively than preoperativel y. The increase in temperature at the anterior turbinate area was significa ntly higher postoperatively. The temperature values at the nasal valve area were not significantly different. Recurrent epistaxis and nasal dryness we re reduced after surgery. Nasal septal perforations disturb the intranasal temperature and humidity profile. After surgical closure, heating and humid ification is improved. This may be responsible for the reduction of frequen t complaints such as bleeding and dryness.