title: The effect of tobacco smoking on septoplasty outcomes: a prospective controlled study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We evaluated the effects of tobacco smoking on functional outcomes of septoplasty and complication rates.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 183 patients (127 males, 56 females) who had septum deviations and underwent septoplasties from January 2012 to December 2013 were evaluated. Subjects were divided into three groups: non‑smokers (Group A), light smokers (<20 cigarettes/day, Group B), and heavy smokers (> 20 cigarettes/day Group C). Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scoring was used to evaluate the effects of tobacco smoking on septoplasty outcomes. Clinical evaluations were performed preoperatively and at one and six months postoperatively. Complications were evaluated during the clinical examinations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences were seen between the preoperative and 1-month postoperative NOSE scores, the 1- and 6-month postoperative NOSE scores, or the preoperative and 6-month postoperative NOSE scores among the groups (p =0.352, 0.737, and 0.344, respectively). The overall complication rate also did not differ among the three groups (p =0.860).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Active smoking status does not affect operation outcomes and does not increase the postoperative complication rate among patients undergoing septoplasty. Although we should advise our patients to stop smoking because of its known harmful effects, smoking may not be a selection criterion for septoplasty. Hippokratia 2015; 19 (3): 219-224.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Bakırköy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Z M
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Yazici
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Bakırköy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sayin
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Bakırköy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Erdim
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Bakırköy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gunes
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Bakırköy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: F T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Kayhan
keywords: Nasal septum; complication; quality of life; smoking; tobacco