Patients` evaluation for the surgical management of nasal obstruction.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Surgery for nasal obstruction is performed to give a subjective benefit. We aimed to evaluate the surgical management of the nasal obstruction in the patient`s perception. METHODS OF STUDY: The study was performed prospectively with 134 patients over the age of 18. They were allotted to three groups according to the level of nasal obstruction by clinical examination. The G1 group had only a deviated nasal septum (DNS), G2 had DNS and hypertrophy of inferior turbinates, and G3 had nasal valve problems in conjunction with DNS. All the patients had surgery focused on obstructive pathologies. The study was conducted using three different scoring systems to determine the patients` evaluation of the surgical procedures. RESULTS: The study included more man than woman, with a mean age around 28 (wide range). Twenty six patients were in G1, 73 patients in G2 and 35 patients in G3. Total and general Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) scores for each group showed improvement postoperatively. There was a significant difference between the groups for general GBI score, and Post-hoc test showed that the improvement of G1 was greater than of G3. The influence of the surgery on physical health, psycho-social function and social interaction scores for each group showed no changes postoperatively. There was a significant improvement in all Nasal Obstruction Septoplasty Effectiveness (NOSE) scores and Likert Scale scores for each group. The improvement of G1 and G2 were greater than G3 on the Likert Scale. CONCLUSION: Surgical management targeted to the region of obstruction improves symptoms and benefit in the patient`s perception.