This study was aimed 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. 50 adults, aged 20-40 years, with symptomatic nasal deviation, newly detected untreated hypertension (mean BP >_140/90 mm Hg), undergoing submucosal resection of the septum and submucosal diathermy of the hypertrophied inferior turbinate(when present), were included. Postoperative follow up for ENT examination and BP measurement was done at 1, 6 and 12 months. 38 males and 12 females met the inclusion criteria. 48% were aged 31-35 years(mean=31.83+_5.19years). 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 post operatively 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.

Dr. Smitha.S.G. ,MBBS,MS(ENT)  is presently working as Associate Professor in Dept. of ENT, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. She has more than 18 years of  experience in teaching undergraduates and in the field of otorhinolaryngology and more than 5 years of post graduate teaching, with many publications to her credit.