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 healthy volunteers. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of surgical closure of septal perforations on intranasal temperature and humidity, and to evaluate changes in clinical symptoms after surgery. Ten patients with septal perforations were included in the study. Intranasal temperature and humidity were measured at the nasal valve and anterior turbinate areas before and after surgical closure. Clinical symptoms were assessed using a nasal symptom score. The end-inspiratory humidity values were significantly (P < or = 0.05) higher postoperatively than preoperatively. The increase in temperature at the anterior turbinate area was significantly higher postoperatively. The temperature values at the nasal valve area were not significantly different. Recurrent epistaxis and nasal dryness were reduced after surgery. Nasal septal perforations disturb the intranasal temperature and humidity profile. After surgical closure, heating and humidification is improved. This may be responsible for the reduction of frequent complaints such as bleeding and dryness.