Nasal Patency Assessed by Acoustic Rhinometry after Endoscopic Sinus Surgery for Chronic Sinusitis

ABSTRACT

Nasal obstruction is one of the most frequent symptoms of chronic sinusitis. Since 1989, acoustic rhinometry has proven to be relatively accurate in evaluating the severity of nasal obstruction in a clinical setting. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of acoustic rhinometry before and after endoscopic surgery in relieving nasal obstruction in patients with chronic sinusitis. Nasal airway patency was measured by acoustic rhinometry, preoperatively and postoperatively, in 48 patients with chronic sinusitis. Total volume (TV), distances and areas of the first and second notches, and areas at 3.3 cm (A(3.3)), 4.0 cm (A(4.0)) and 6.4 cm (A(6.4)) from nose pieces were measured. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to the duration of their postoperative follow-up period. Group 1 had a postoperative follow-up period less than 1 year ; group 2, between 1 and 2 years ; group 3, between 2 and 3 years ; group 4, between 3 and 4 years. There was a significant increase in TV, A(4.0), and A(6.4) postoperatively (p<0.05, paired t-test). Postoperative values including TV, A(4.0), and A(6.4) increased significantly in group 1, group 2, and group 3, but decreased in group 4 (p<0.05, ANOVA). However, there was no significant difference between groups in distances and areas of the first and second notches. These results suggest that endoscopic sinus surgery is effective in relieving nasal obstruction of patients with chronic sinusitis and that acoustic rhinometry may be a useful tool in objectifying symptomatic improvement in patients with nasal obstruction following endoscopic sinus surgery.