The postoperative histologic changes in the nasal mucosa following treatment with amoxycilline or rifampicin: preliminary findings

This study examines the postoperative histologic changes in the nasal mucosa following treatment with amoxycilline or rifampicin. Three groups of nasal mucosal biopsies were obtained from 20 patients having undergone nasal surgery (partial middle turbinectomy). The first group was obtained immediately before surgery (control group). The second and third groups were taken postoperatively (after the first and 6 weeks of amoxycilline or rifampicin therapy, 10 patients each). The histologic changes in the nasal mucosa and the density of seromucinous glands were examined using histochemical methods and image analyzer. Amoxycilline treatment was associated with squamous metaplasia and a statistically significant reduction in the percent area of the seromucinous glands compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Rifampicin therapy was associated with minimal reduction in the density of the seromucinous glands and absence of metaplastic changes. In nasal surgeries, rifampicin but not amoxycilline had a beneficial effect on postoperative nasal mucosa status.