This article is only available in the PDF format. Download the PDF to view the article, as well as its associated figures and tables.
Submucous resection of the nasal septum is never considered by the conscientious and cautious surgeon to be devoid of risk or fatal possibilities. Fortunately, serious complications following this operation are relatively uncommon. In the case reported in this article, such a troublesome and grave series of events occurred that it seems worth while to bring the case to the attention of the medical profession.
On May 2, 1927, I performed a submucous resection of the nasal septum on a young man. The patient, a fourth year medical student, was of good physique and habits. Nothing out of the ordinary occurred at the time of the operation, nor was there any evidence of acute or subacute infection of the nose or throat. Three days following this operation, acute lacunar tonsillitis, that fairly common sequel to nasal surgery, developed with its attendant symptoms of elevation in temperature, malaise and sore throat.