Effects of septoplasty on the nasal flora

Author： Eviatar Ephraim Kessler Alexander Segal Samuel Vaiman Michael Kalmovich Limor Muallem

ISSN： 1539-6290

Source： American Journal of Rhinology, Vol.20, Iss.1, 2006-01, pp. : 40-42

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Abstract

Background: Disruption in the balance of the nasal flora influences infectious diseases of the nose. We characterized the changes in nasal flora of the middle meatus of patients with a symptomatic deviated nasal septum before and after septoplasty.Methods: The study cohort included 33 patients with symptomatic deviated nasal septum who underwent septoplasty from 1998 to 2001. Cultures from the middle meatus were taken preoperatively and 1 month postoperatively.Results: Fifty-two percent of the preoperative cultures and 76% of the postoperative cultures were positive. The preoperatively cultured bacteria were similar to those usually cultured from the nose of a healthy individual—mainly Staphylococcus aureus and Corynebacterium. The postoperative cultures included bacteria not considered as being nasal flora and infrequently cultured from the nose: Pseudomonas, Haemophilus influenza, and Staphylococcus coagulase negative.Conclusion: Symptomatic septal deviation does not influence nasal flora. The bacterial changes without clinical complaints that we found postseptoplasty might call for a more in-depth workup.