Effects of External Nasal Dilators on Nasal Respiration and Patency in Patients with Deformity of the Nasal Septum: An Acoustic Rhinometric Study.
- Author:
Soon Kwan HONG
1
;
Yun Joung KIM
;
Chong Nahm KIM
;
Sung Min CHUNG
;
Sung Wan BYUN
;
Chun Dong KIM
;
Hye Jung SHIN
;
Sun Ok YOON
Author Information
1. Department of Otolaryngology, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea. soonkwan@unitel.co.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
External nasal dilator;
Nasal respiration;
Nasal patency;
Nasal septal deformity;
Acoustic rhinometry
- MeSH:
Acoustics*;
Congenital Abnormalities*;
Female;
Humans;
Male;
Nasal Cavity;
Nasal Septum*;
Respiration*;
Rhinometry, Acoustic;
Sensation;
Visual Analog Scale
- From:Korean Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
1999;42(10):1264-1268
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Some types of deformities of the nasal septum (DNSs) interfere with the nasal valve function. External nasal dilators (ENDs) were developed to improve the nasal airway by mechanically dilating the nasal valve. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of ENDs on nasal respiration and patency in patients with DNS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-four patients with DNS (37 males and 17 females, aged 18 to 46 years) without other sinonasal diseases were included in this study. All subjects were required to assess their own sensation of nasal respiration on a 100 mm visual analog scale. Minimal cross-sectional areas (MCAs) and volumes of 0 to 5 cm from the nostril (V 5s) of both nasal cavities were measured by acoustic rhinometry, respectively. All measurements before application of an END were compared with those 5 minutes after application. RESULTS: The subjective sensation of nasal respiration improved significantly after application of an END in both male and female. The END increased MCA and V5 significantly in both sexes. However, there were no significant correlations between changes in the subjective and objective parameters. CONCLUSION: ENDs offer an effective, nonsurgical therapeutic approach in the management of DNS by improving nasal respiration and by increasing MCA and nasal cavity volume. However, it should be kept in mind that this improvement in nasal patency does not always coincide with the improvement in subjective sensation of nasal respiration.
