Effect of septal deviation surgery on aerobic performance

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of deviation surgery on aerobic performances of athletes. Method: Eleven volunteers, who admitted to Otolaryngology Polyclinic of Akdeniz University Hospital with complaints of nasal obstruction and decision of surgical operation, and 11 paired volunteers with the same level of physical activity participated in this study as the experimental and control groups respectively. The anthropometric values, nasal obstruction level measurements and parameters for aerobic performances of the volunteers participating in the study were obtained. SPSS 24 package program was used to evaluate pre- and post-operative values. Result: When pre- and post-operative measurements were compared in the experimental group regarding aerobic parameters, decrease in oxygen consumption and increase in maximal ventilation, maximal tidal volume and pale reserve were noted. Additionally, the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (EPS) values in experimental group decreased which means the quality of their life improved. Conclusion: When the aerobic test values of athletes in experimental group were examined after nose operations, increase in maximal tidal volume, respiratory rate of change, and maximal ventilation were observed. Their oxygen consumption decreased and they worked longer with less oxygen. When Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) and Epworth Sleepiness (EPS) Scale results were evaluated, an improvement in the quality of life was noted in experimental group. After surgery, as the workload increased, the athletes' bodies showed more economical working capacity. In conclusion, it can be suggested that surgical operations can be effective in order to increase aerobic capacity and quality of life of athletes suffering from nasal deviation. Key words: Nasal, deviation, aerobic capacity, oxygen comsumption, septoplasty