The effect of duration of nasal obstruction on mean platelet volume in patients with marked nasal septal deviation

The Effect of Septoplasty on Endothelial Function in Patients With Marked Nasal Septal Deviation

BACKGROUND

It is known that nasal septal deviation (NSD) has negative effects on the cardiovascular system, but the possible pathophysiological mechanisms of these effects still need to be explained. The aim of this study was to investigate the endothelial dysfunction (ED) caused by NSD and the effects of septoplasty on it.

METHODS

The study included 40 patients between the ages of 18 to 50 years with a marked NSD indication for septoplasty and 40 healthy age-and gender-matched individuals. Nasal obstruction symptom evaluation scale was used to evaluate the severity of nasal obstruction and the effectiveness of septoplasty. All participants underwent detailed cardiac examination and ultrasonographic measurement of flow-mediated dilatation (FMD). The same cardiac evaluations and nasal obstruction symptom evaluation scale assessments were repeated in the patient group at the postoperative 3rd month.

RESULTS

The mean FMD value in the control group was significantly higher than preoperative FMD in the patient group (9.1 ± 2.9 versus 7.6 ± 2.4, P = 0.024). In the patient group, preoperative and postoperative FMD values were measured as 7.6 ± 2.4 and 9.0 ± 2.7, respectively, and there was a significant difference between them (P = 0.032). There was no significant difference in FMD values between the control group and postoperative patient group (P = 0.925).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that NSD can cause ED, which is a precursor of atherosclerosis, and that successful septoplasty can improve ED.

Evaluation of choroidal thickness measurements in patients with marked nasal septal deviation

INTRODUCTION

Chronic upper airway obstruction due to marked nasal septal deviation may cause chronic hypoxia. It may change the balance of the sympathetic-parasympathetic system and may affect blood flow in the choroid.

OBJECTIVE

To assess choroidal thickness measurements of patients with marked nasal septal deviation.

METHODS

The patients who had nasal obstruction symptoms diagnosed with marked nasal septal deviation by anterior rhinoscopy and nasal endoscopy and scheduled for septoplasty were included in the study. The control group consisted of age, sex and body mass index-matched healthy individuals. The choroidal measurements at the central fovea and 1000μm away from the fovea in the nasal and temporal regions were performed using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography.

RESULTS

In the study group, 52 eyes of 26 patients with a mean age of 26.34±8.14 years were examined. In the control group, 52 eyes of 28 healthy individuals with a mean age of 26.69±7.84 years were examined. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of choroidal thickness measurements between the groups (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that marked nasal septal deviation may not lead to significant hypoxia and sympathetic activation, resulting in deterioration of the choroidal blood flow and consequent choroidal thickening.