Numerical simulation of intranasal air flow and temperature after resection of the turbinates.
BACKGROUND
Radical surgical resection of the turbinates leads to a reduced intranasal air conditioning. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of turbinate resection on intranasal heating and airflow patterns using a numerical simulation.


METHODS
A bilateral model of the human nose with resection of the turbinates on one side based on a CT-scan was reconstructed. A numerical simulation applying the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver Fluent 6.1.22 was performed displaying inspiratory intranasal air temperature and airflow patterns.


RESULTS
Due to resection of the turbinates the airflow pattern is disturbed resulting in a spacious vortex throughout the entire nasal cavity. Hence, contact between air and surrounding nasal wall is less intense. Consequently, intranasal heating of the inspired air is relevantly reduced.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgical resection of the turbinates leads to a disturbed intranasal air conditioning. The presented numerical simulation demonstrates the close relation between airflow patterns and heating.
Lindemann
Joerg
J
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany. joerg.lindemann@medizin.uni-ulm.de
Keck
Tilman
T
Wiesmiller
Kerstin M
KM
Rettinger
Gerhard
G
Brambs
Hans-Juergen
HJ
Pless
Daniela
D
D001831:Body Temperature; D003198:Computer Simulation; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena; D014420:Turbinates / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*