A Study of Nasal Airway Resistance and Nasal Airflow in Augmentation Rhinoplasty

ABSTRACT

Active anterior rhinomanometry (AAR) was performed in 42 patients with low-profile or saddle noses before augmentation rhinoplasty (AR) and after AR. The purpose was to measure nasal airway resistance (NAR) and nasal airflow (NAF). There were 38 females and 4 males, whose ages ranged from 15 to 42 years (mean 29.6 years). Preoperative total NAR at 75 Pascals (Pa) was 0.24+/-0.09 and 0.20+/-0.06 Pa/ml/sec for the non-decongested and decongested value respectively. Two weeks postoperatively, the total NAR was 0.19+/-0.06 and 0.15+/-0.05 Pa/ml/sec for the non-decongested and decongested value respectively, which was significantly less than the preoperative value. The postoperative total NAF was 422.31+/-137.05 cm3 and 514. 57+/-152.45 cm3 for the non-decongested and decongested value respectively, which was significantly increased when compared to the preoperative value (342.57+/-109.27 cm3 and 399.90+/-106.98 cm3 for the non-decongested and decongested value respectively). The comparison between the changes in NAR and subjective nasal breathing showed that the postoperative NAR decreased in 88.10% of patients while subjective nasal breathing improved in only 52.38%. Postoperative NAR increased in 9.52% of patients, while subjective nasal breathing was worsened in 2.38%. The results of this study indicate that AR has decreased the NAR and increased NAF, and thus improving the nasal breathing. From this preliminary study it is concluded that AR is useful not only for the aesthetic aspect but also for its effect on the function of the nose, especially on the improvement of nasal breathing.