Abstract
Eight dogs underwent denervation of the nasal mucosa by bilateral surgical interruption of the caudal nasal nerve, major palatine nerves, nerve branches traversing the pterygopalatine ganglion, and ethmoid nerve. Determinations of pulmonary resistance and compliance immediately before denervation and 1 hour, 24 hours, and 7 days after denervation did not demonstrate a tonic nasal influence on pulmonary mechanics. Changes within the range of normal did occur in the immediate period after denervation. Because pulmonary resistance and compliance approached control values by the seventh day after denervation, these variations are probably the result of atelectasis and pooling of mucus within the bronchi, secondary to prolonged general anesthesia. Thus, pulmonary mechanics probably are not significantly altered after denervation of the nasal mucosa.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.