Subjective assessment of the effect of septoplasty on respiratory and voice functions

Abstract

To assess the impact of septoplasty on quality of life by measuring changes in nasal breathing and voice function using subjective assessment questionnaires. The study included 98 patients who underwent septoplasty for the nasal septum deviation. The effect of the operation on nasal breathing was assessed subjectively using the Nasal Obstruction Septoplasty Effectiveness (NOSE) questionnaire, and the effect on voice function was assessed using the Voice Handicap Index-30 (VHI-30) questionnaire. There was a statistically significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative (after 1 and 3 months) NOSE data (in both cases, p<0.001) and and between the indicators 1 and 3 months after surgery (p<0.001). There was a statistically significant difference (p<0.001 in both cases) between the preoperative VHI-30 and 1 and 3 months postoperatively. There was also a statistically significant difference (p<0.001) between 1 and 3 months after surgery for this test. In this study, the effect of septoplasty on respiratory and voice function was demonstrated using subjective tests. In the postoperative period, patients subjectively positively assessed changes in both nasal breathing and voice.