The effect of submucous resection of the nasal septum on mucociliary transport and nasal airway.

This paper reports changes in ciliary function following submucous resection of the nasal septum in 36 adult patients assessed by measuring mucociliary clearance time with a saccharine particle using the method described by Andersen et al. The alterations in mucociliary clearance time were compared with active anterior rhinomanometry. Following surgery, changes in symptoms of nasal obstruction as recorded by questionnaire were largely consistent with changes in mucociliary function and to a lesser extent with rhinomanometry. It is suggested that patients with a mucociliary clearance time of less than 10 min in the more blocked nostril may be less likely to benefit from surgery.