Numerical simulation of intranasal air flow and temperature after resection of the turbinates

Background: Radical surgical resection of the turbinates leads to a reduced intranasal air conditioning. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of turbinate resection on intranasal heating and airflow patterns using a numerical simulation. Methods: A bilateral model of the human nose with resection of the turbinates on one side based on a CT-scan was reconstructed. A numerical simulation applying the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver Fluent 61.22 was performed displaying inspiratory intranasal air temperature and airflow patterns. Results: Due to resection of the turbinates the airflow pattern is disturbed resulting in a spacious vortex throughout the entire nasal cavity. Hence, contact between air and surrounding nasal wall is less intense. Consequently, intranasal heating of the inspired air is relevantly reduced. Conclusions: Surgical resection of the turbinates leads to a disturbed intranasal air conditioning. The presented numerical simulation demonstrates the close relation between airflow patterns and heating.