Acoustic rhinometry, rhinomanometry and visual analogue scale before and after septal surgery: a prospective 10‐year follow‐up

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare rhinomanometry, acoustic rhinometry and subjective estimation of the nasal obstruction before and after septoplasty and to evaluate the long-term results of septal surgery. Prospective long-term follow-up, before and after septoplasty. University tertiary-care hospital, referral centre. The study included 30 adult patients who were operated on because of septal deviation. Pre-operatively, acoustic rhinometry and active anterior rhinomanometry were performed on each subject after decongestion of the nose. A visual analogue scale for unilateral nasal obstruction was filled in by the patients. The measurements were repeated both 6 months and 10 years post-operatively. A significant change in acoustic values was found during the long-term follow-up of 10 years. The mean minimal cross-sectional area on the more obstructive side was 0.35 cm(2) pre-operatively. Six months after operation, it was 0.52 cm(2), and 10 years after operation, it was 0.68 cm(2). The mean resistance fell from pre-operative 1.16 Pa/mL/s to 0.41 Pa/mL/s during the first 6 months, but rose again to 1.21 Pa/mL/s after 10 years. Despite a tendency of improvement, no statistically significant change was found between pre-operative and postoperative values in VAS. Six months after operation 69% of the patients were satisfied with the result, and after ten years the amount of satisfied patients was 83%. We found an increase in acoustic values, but an increase in nasal resistance in the long-term follow-up. Other factors than nasal area may have an impact on nasal resistance and the feeling of nasal obstruction. The small size on the sample interfered with the results.