Impact of Septal Correction on the Blood Pressure of Hypertensive Patients with Deviated Nasal Septum

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.