Research Information System
Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, vol.77, pp.54-62, 2023 (SCI-Expanded)
© 2022 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic SurgeonsObjectives: The effects of different climatic conditions on the quality of life (QoL) of patients following septoplasty or septorhinoplasty were investigated. Methods: A total of 89 patients (47 males and 42 females) underwent either septoplasty or septorhinoplasty during the summer (summer group, n = 42) or winter (winter group, n = 47) season. To assess QoL, SinoNasal Outcome Test (SNOT)-22, Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale, and Visual Analogue Scale were used. Postoperative (PO) pain, bleeding, and symptoms related to nasal packing (eating and sleep problems) were also evaluated. Results: PO pain scores were lower in the winter group than that in the summer group (p<0.05). After pack removal, there was a slight serohemorrhagic nasal discharge in 2.1% of the patients in the winter group, but no patient required intervention. Slight leakage was detected in 47.6% of the patients and 2.4% of the patients called for intervention (p<0.05) in the summer group. The SNOT-22 values did not differ between the groups (p>0.05). NOSE scores in the winter group were higher than that in the summer group (p<0.05). In each group, SNOT-22 (padjusted<0.175) and NOSE scores (p<0.05) were lower at 1 month after surgery. The winter group patients rated headache, facial pain, and nasal crusting higher than those in the summer group did (p<0.05). However, nasal discharge and loss of smell were less troubling in the summer group than that in the winter group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Regardless of climate or season, septoplasty or septorhinoplasty increases patients’ QoL. However, problematic PO bleeding was detected at a higher frequency in patients who underwent surgery in summer. The advantage of surgery in winter is that it leads to less frequent problematic bleeding PO.