Impact of aesthetic rhinoplasty on the respiratory function of the nose in patients with a straight nasal septum

Abstract

Introduction/Objective. Aesthetically, the nose adds special signature to a person’s look. This results in many nasal pyramid surgeries, either functional or aesthetic. The problem arises in aesthetic surgeries. Patients often tend to present their dissatisfaction with the appearance of the nose as a breathing difficulty, as they often lack the support of the environment in the decision to undergo cosmetic surgery. The objective of the paper was to examine, using subjective assessment and objective measurements, the change in the nasal respiratory function in patients who undergo aesthetic nose surgeries, despite having a straight nasal septum before the surgery. Methods. The study was conducted as a prospective, cross-sectional one, and involved 32 patients of both genders. Before and at six months after surgery all patients underwent subjective nasal breathing assessment using visual analog scale (grade 0–10) as well as objective nasal respiratory function assessment using rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry after anemization. Results. There were seven male and 25 female patients, age ranging 18–27 years. Objective measurements after surgery showed that the nasal cavity volume, minimum cross-sectional area, as well as the airflow through the nose reduced, while resistance to the nasal airflow increased, but with no statistical significance. The subjective assessment of nasal breathing statistically significantly improved after the surgery. Conclusion. The subjective assessment of nasal breathing postoperatively is not a relevant indicator of the objective state of the nasal respiratory function in patients after aesthetic rhinoplasty.

Keywords

• aesthetic rhinoplasty
• rhinomanometry
• acoustic rhinometry
• nasal airflow
• subjective nasal breathing sensation