The Effect of Cigarette Smoking on Nasal Septal Cartilage

Objective: This study aimed to reveal the effects of smoking on the septal cartilage on a histopathological basis. Methods: This study was conducted between July 2020 and September 2021 at our Medical Faculty Hospital. A total of 62 subjects, aged between 18 and 55 years, with septoplasty/septorhinoplasty surgical indications were included in the study. After the mucoperichondrial flap elevation, 5 x 5 mm cartilage was taken from the anterior lower part of the septal cartilage while preserving the L-strut. Specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Alcian blue, and Masson's trichrome stains. Chondrocyte viability and cartilage tissue status, type 2 collagen, and proteoglycan in matrix structure were assessed under a light microscope. Parameters such as chondrocyte clustering, cell morphology, and tissue appearance were assessed according to the International Cartilage Repair Society II and the groups were statistically compared. Results: There were 43 men and 19 women, including 32 patients who had been smoking for at least 1 year and 30 non-smokers as the control group who were included in the study. The mean age was 28.01 +/- 9.61 years, and the age range was between 18 and 50 years. There was no statistical difference between the groups in terms of age and gender distribution, and a statistical significant difference was found between the groups as a result of the comparison of histopathological data according to International Cartilage Repair Society II criteria. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, there was no histopathologically negative effect of smoking on the septal cartilage.