title: Middle ear pressure after septoplasty.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the level of middle ear pressure and alterations in middle ear pressure levels after septoplasty among the individuals having advanced degree isolated nasal septal deviation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective randomized study was conducted. The study included 72 adult patients who had severely deviated septum. The middle ear pressure values at both sides of nasal obstruction and opposite side were determined using tympanometry before the surgery and at postoperative week 3. The middle ear pressure values were divided into 2 groups, side of nasal obstruction (group 1) and opposite nonaffected side (group 2). The middle ear pressure values obtained before and after septoplasty were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Before the septoplasty, the median middle ear pressure value was -54 dPa at the side of nasal obstruction, and -46 dPa at the opposite side. Three weeks after the septoplasty, it was -38 dPa at the side of nasal obstruction, and -40 dPa at the opposite side. The middle ear pressure improved by approximately 30% at the side of nasal obstruction and by 11% at the nonaffected side; a statistically significant decrease was found at the side of nasal obstruction (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In adult patients with isolated nasal septum deviation, the middle ear pressure is lower at the side of nasal obstruction, but it remains within reference ranges. An approximately 30% improvement occurs in the middle ear pressure after septoplasty.
authors.affiliation: From the Ear Nose Throat Clinics, Melikgazi Medical Center, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors.forename: Karataş
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Duran
authors.forename: Yüksel
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fatih
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Doğan
mesh_terms: D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D000328:Adult; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000601:surgery*; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012225:Rhinoplasty; D055815:Young Adult