Effects of septoplasty on nasal and oropharyngeal microbial flora

Abstract

We characterized the changes in oropharyngeal and nasal flora of the patients with a deviated nasal
septum before and after septoplasty. Patients who underwent septoplasty for nasal septal deviation
were included in this study. Nasal and oropharyngeal cultures were taken with a sterile cotton swab
preoperatively and one month after septoplasty. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed
using the disc method. Fifty-nine patients with a deviated nasal septum were included in the study: 29
women and 30 men, whose ages ranged from 18 to 40 years. There was no significant difference
between the preoperative and postoperative (one month after surgery) isolated bacteria of the nasal and
oropharyngeal regions. Septoplasty did not change the nasal and oropharyngel microbial flora in
patients who underwent septoplasty for nasal septal deviation.