This study aims to evaluate the effect of septal correction on the blood pressure (BP) of patients with symptomatic nasal septal deviation and to assess whether a positive association exists between deviated nasal septum and hypertension. A prospective observational clinical study was conducted at Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore. Hundred adults, aged 18-40 years, with symptomatic nasal septal deviation, newly detected untreated hypertension (mean BP ≥140/90 mmHg), undergoing submucosal resection of the septum and submucosal diathermy of hypertrophied inferior turbinate (when present), were included. Postoperative follow up for ENT examination and BP measurement was done at 1, 6 and 12 months. Seventy five males and 25 females met the inclusion criteria. 48 % were aged 31-35 years (mean = 31.83 ± 5.19 years). 71 % had anterior septal deviation, 13 % posterior deviation and 16 % a combination of both. Preoperatively, mean systolic blood pressure was 141.82 ± 1.70 mmHg and mean diastolic blood pressure was 91.04 ± 1.21 mmHg, which postoperatively decreased by 10-12 mmHg and 4-5 mmHg respectively. 79 % showed a significant (P < 0.001) decrease in BP postoperatively. 13 % showed no change in BP, of which 53.8 % had posterior deviation, demonstrating a significant association (P < 0.001) between type of deviation and response to surgery. In 8 %, a rise in BP over the follow up period was seen; of these, 62.5 % were aged 36-40 years, indicating a significant association (P < 0.001) between age and BP. Surgical correction of septal deviation is thus effective in controlling the BP of patients with anterior deviation, aged <35 years.
Keywords: Blood pressure; Deviation; Hypertension; Nasal obstruction; Nasal septum.