Nasal Dilator Research Articles

A customized nasal dilator and breather for patient with deviated nasal septum

Nasal obstruction due to deviated nasal septum (DNS) is commonly defined as patient discomfort manifested as a sensation of insufficient airflow through the nose. The definitive treatment for a DNS is septoplasty, this customized nasal device can be used as an adjunct to treatment. And can be used as a breather until The patient receives or underwent definitive treatment. This device contains a nasopharyngeal airway tube and a customized nasal dilator, the nasopharyngeal airway tube is made of soft and elastic medical plastics, with good biocompatibility, without skin damage and allergy, which will be inserted inside. which will be inserted inside the affected nostril and it fits accurately between the septum and the lateral endonasal tissue, the nasal dilator which is composed of heat-cure acrylic resin helps to keep the nasopharyngeal airway in position withoutdislodging. The device also has an elastic band on both sides which can be worn like a mask by the patient. The nasopharyngeal tube of this device has a stopper that prevents the nasopharyngeal tube to go inside the nostril accidentally and the said tube is sterilizable and easily replaceable (even by the patient).

Computational analysis of nasal airflow and its alteration by a nasal dilator

Nasal airflow obstruction correlates with several ailments, such as higher patency, increased friction at the mucosal wall or the so-called Little's area, improper air conditioning, and snoring. Nasal dilators are frequently employed, mainly due to their ease of access and use, combined with their non-permanent and non-surgical nature. Their overall efficacy, however, has not been clearly demonstrated so far, with some studies reporting conflicting outcomes, mainly because being based on subjective evaluations. This study employs Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations to analyze the flow inside a real nose, performs an objective assessment of a nasal dilator's effect in terms of airflow and air conditioning, reporting flow paths, friction levels, heat and water fluxes and detailed temperature and humidity distributions. Coincidentally, the studied nose presents a septal deviation, with one nostril being wider than the other. The tubes of the dilator used in both nostrils are identical, as with any standard commercial dilator. Consequently, the dilator widens one nostril, as intended, but results in an obstruction in the other. This allows simultaneously addressing two situations, the nominal function of the dilator, as well as an off-design case. Results indicate a 24 % increase in nasal patency in the design situation. The effect, however, is limited, as quantified by appropriate measures, such as the flow-generated friction at the nose surfaces and the temperature fluxes. Hence, the effect of such a dilator in nominal conditions is perhaps not as large as might be hoped. In the off-design situation, nasal resistance increases by 62 %, an undesirable effect, illustrating the consequences of using an inappropriate dilator.

Mandibular Advancement vs Combined Airway and Positional Therapy for Snoring

Approximately 150 million individuals in the US snore in the absence of obstructive sleep apnea (primary snoring), but few studies have examined the efficacy of treatments for snoring or evaluated the effect of snoring in sleeping partners. To evaluate the efficacy of 2 treatments for primary snoring. This pilot randomized clinical trial that included a convenience sample of people who snore without sleep apnea and their sleeping partner who underwent 4 weeks of snoring treatment was conducted at an academic medical center between October 3, 2022, and July 3, 2023. Fifty couples were randomized to either use a mandibular advancement device (MAD) or receive combined airway and positional therapy (CAPT; external nasal dilator, nasal saline lavage with mometasone, mouth taping, and lateral positional therapy). Percentage of sleeping partners who reported that their partner's snoring was either very much improved or much improved (responder) on the Clinical Global Impression of Improvement scale. A total of 42 dyads completed the study; 23 (55%) were randomized to MAD and 19 (45%) to CAPT. Among people who snore, 26 (62%) were female, and the mean (SD) age was 48 (14) years. Of 23 dyads randomized to MAD, 21 people who snore (91%) were rated by the sleeping partner as a responder, while 11 of the 19 dyads (58%) randomized to CAPT were rated by the sleeping partner as responder, resulting in a difference of 33 percentage points (95% CI, 8-58) and a number needed to treat of 3. Of the 10 participants who were withdrawn, 4 were withdrawn due to adverse effects of the treatment that were evenly distributed between the MAD (n = 2) and CAPT (n = 2) groups. The results of this randomized clinical trial showed that the MAD may be more effective than CAPT for treating primary snoring, while both treatment options were found to reduce primary snoring. Physicians should have a patient-centered discussion to determine which treatment is best for individual patients with primary snoring, weighing convenience, adverse effects, and cost as factors. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05756647.

Positive Airway Pressure Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea in Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: A Pilot Randomized Proof-of-Concept Clinical Trial.

Rationale: Maternal obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea (OSAH) is associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). OSAH treatment with positive airway pressure (PAP) in the general population lowers blood pressure (BP). However, there are limited data on the effects of PAP therapy in maternal OSAH. Objectives: Our primary objective was to assess the feasibility of recruitment to a pilot randomized trial and adherence to PAP therapy for OSAH in women with HDP. Secondary objectives included assessment of PAP effects on 24-h BP, arterial stiffness, and maternal and fetal outcomes. Methods: Women with singleton pregnancies at ⩾12 weeks' gestation and hypertension underwent home level 2 polysomnography; those with mild to moderate OSAH (apnea-hypopnea index ⩾ 5 events/h; women with severe OSAH with apnea-hypopnea index > 30 events/h and oxygen desaturation index > 30 were excluded) were randomized to either PAP or nasal dilator strip (NDS; control) therapy. After PAP education, adherence was monitored online with episodic phone or in-person support by research personnel. Twenty-four-hour BP and arterial stiffness were assessed at baseline and before delivery. Maternal and fetal outcomes were also recorded. Results: Of 105 potentially eligible participants, 67 agreed to undergo screening for OSAH over 38 months; 48 women meeting OSAH inclusion criteria were randomized to PAP (n = 27) or NDS (n = 21) therapy. Of these, 14 PAP (52%) and 13 NDS (62%) participants completed all predelivery measurements, with lack of completion due to urgent delivery (19% in the PAP group, 14% in the NDS group), PAP intolerance at initiation (19%), or other factors. Mean PAP use was 3.1 ± 2.5 h/night, with use ⩾4 h/night on 38.4 ± 33.7% of nights during 9.6 ± 4.0 weeks of treatment. BP was controlled within the target range in most participants. There were no differences in mean change in 24-hour BP or arterial stiffness measurements or in adverse maternal and fetal outcomes between the PAP and NDS groups in either intention-to-treat or per-protocol analyses. Conclusions: PAP adherence was suboptimal in this HDP cohort despite education and troubleshooting. Further work is required to identify optimal OSAH treatment strategies during pregnancy. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03309826).

Assessing Nasal Epithelial Dynamics: Impact of the Natural Nasal Cycle on Intranasal Spray Deposition.

This study investigated the intricate dynamics of intranasal spray deposition within nasal models, considering variations in head orientation and stages of the nasal cycle. Employing controlled delivery conditions, we compared the deposition patterns of saline nasal sprays in models representing congestion (N1), normal (N0), and decongestion (P1, P2) during one nasal cycle. The results highlighted the impact of the nasal cycle on spray distribution, with congestion leading to confined deposition and decongestion allowing for broader dispersion of spray droplets and increased sedimentation towards the posterior turbinate. In particular, the progressive nasal dilation from N1 to P2 decreased the spray deposition in the middle turbinate. The head angle, in conjunction with the nasal cycle, significantly influenced the nasal spray deposition distribution, affecting targeted drug delivery within the nasal cavity. Despite controlled parameters, a notable variance in deposition was observed, emphasizing the complex interplay of gravity, flow shear, nasal cycle, and nasal morphology. The magnitude of variance increased as the head tilt angle increased backward from upright to 22.5° to 45° due to increasing gravity and liquid film destabilization, especially under decongestion conditions (P1, P2). This study's findings underscore the importance of considering both natural physiological variations and head orientation in optimizing intranasal drug delivery.

Improvement of the aerobic performance in endurance athletes presenting nasal valve compromise with the application of an internal nasal dilator

PurposeWe investigated the effects of an internal nasal dilator on nasal airflow and cardio-respiratory capacity in adult endurance athletes, while performing controlled exhaustive physical exercise. MethodsProspective observational study. Participants were 38 adult endurance athletes, 23 with and 15 without nasal valve compromise. Nasal patency was objectively evaluated with anterior rhinomanometry, acoustic rhinometry and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF). Maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max), maximum pulmonary ventilation, time to exhaustion and total time of nasal respiration were recorded during a submaximal treadmill test. Dyspnea intensity and fatigue perception were evaluated using a labeled visual analog scale. All assessments were performed with and without the application of the internal nasal dilator. ResultsAll the parameters related to aerobic capacity were significantly reduced in the group of athletes with nasal valve compromise (p. <0.05 for all variables). The internal nasal dilator improved statistically significantly the nasal patency (p. <0.001), VO2max and aerobic performance and self-rating of dyspnea and fatigue (p. <0.05 for all parameters) only in athletes with nasal obstruction. PNIF correlated significantly with VO2max (rho = 0.4, p. <0.05). ConclusionsInternal nasal dilation improves nasal patency and aerobic performance during submaximal exercise in adult endurance athletes with nasal obstruction symptoms due to nasal valve compromise.

Clinical Review of Commercially-Available Anti-Snoring Devices

Snoring is a common issue that negatively affects sleep quality. Generally, simple snorers without sleep apnea may be managed with various therapeutic options such as behavioral treatments, mandibular advancement devices or surgeries, while more complicated snorers with moderate to severe sleep apnea may be managed with positive airway pressure. Recently, commercially-available devices have been widely implemented to improve snoring by widening the nasal airway or preventing mouth breathing. Nasal dilator strips are typically used as external nasal dilators, while internal nasal dilators include nasal stents, nasal clips, and nasal stimulators. Chin straps and mouth tape can be used to improve adherence to positive airway pressure, as well as to manage simple snorers with mouth breathing. However, there is a scarcity of information in literature with regard to the clinical role of these devices. Therefore, physicians should carefully consider whether these commercially-available devices can be a viable alternative management option for snoring patients. Herein, we provide literature reviews of clinically-available devices for snorers with their indication, effectiveness, and safety.

Distinguishing science from pseudoscience in commercial respiratory interventions: an evidence-based guide for health and exercise professionals.

Respiratory function has become a global health priority. Not only is chronic respiratory disease a leading cause of worldwide morbidity and mortality, but the COVID-19 pandemic hasheightened attention on respiratory health and the means of enhancing it. Subsequently, and inevitably, the respiratory system has become a target of the multi-trillion-dollar health and wellness industry. Numerous commercial, respiratory-related interventions are now coupled to therapeutic and/or ergogenic claims that vary in their plausibility: from the reasonable to the absurd. Moreover, legitimate and illegitimate claims are often conflated in a wellness space that lacks regulation. The abundance of interventions, the range of potential therapeutic targets in the respiratory system, and the wealth of research that varies in quality, all confound the ability for health and exercise professionals to make informed risk-to-benefit assessments with their patients and clients. This review focuses on numerous commercial interventions that purport to improve respiratory health, including nasal dilators, nasal breathing, and systematized breathing interventions (such as pursed-lips breathing), respiratory muscle training, canned oxygen, nutritional supplements, and inhaled L-menthol. For each intervention we describe the premise, examine the plausibility, and systematically contrast commercial claims against the published literature. The overarching aim is to assist health and exercise professionals to distinguish science from pseudoscience and make pragmatic and safe risk-to-benefit decisions.

External nasal dilator decreases N95 respirator-related respiratory effort and symptoms in gastrointestinal endoscopy unit staff.

Background and study aims N95-filtering facepiece respirators (FFR) use is associated with physiological changes and symptoms due to impaired nasal airflow and increased breathing resistance. We prospectively studied the effect of using an external nasal dilator (END) in gastroenterology laboratory (gastrointestinal lab) staff using N95FFR. Patients and methods N95FFR qualitative saccharine fit testing was performed on study participants with and without an END. Prospective data collection and comparisons included: 1) survey of perceived symptoms and difficulty of performing one day of gastrointestinal procedures with N95FFR and 1 day of gastrointestinal procedures with END plus N95FFR in random sequence; and 2) vitals and respiratory belt plethysmography in ten gastroenterologists performing simulated colonoscopy while wearing a surgical mask (SM), N95FFR plus SM, END plus N95FFR plus SM for 20 minutes each in random sequence and rapid succession. Results Twenty-nine of 31 participants passed the N95FFR and the END plus N95FFR fit test. Twenty-two participants (12 physicians; 11 males; mean age 44.1 years, range 31–61) performed 1 day of gastrointestinal procedures with an N95FFR and 1 day of gastrointestinal procedures with an END plus N95FFR. Significantly less difficulty with nasal breathing and severity of symptoms including breathing difficulty, headache, fatigue and frustration, occurred while using an END plus N95FFR. Respiratory plethysmography peak-to-trough measurement showed an increase during the N95FFR stage compared to the END plus N95FFR stage and the SM stage. Conclusions N95FFR related respiratory changes and symptom development may be mitigated by END use.

Minimally Invasive Nasal Valve Treatment

The objective of this article is to explore minimally invasive techniques to treat a poorly functioning nasal valve. It reviews the literature to introduce anatomy and examination, detail efficacy, instruct procedural protocols, and summarize utility. The article was composed based upon literature review and expert opinion. Nasal obstruction is a frequent problem managed by the facial plastic surgeon. It can occur at multiple sites, but commonly problematic regions are the nasal valves. A comprehensive nasal exam can elucidate the source of obstruction and validated obstruction measurements, such as the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation Instrument or the Standardized Cosmesis and Health Nasal Outcomes Survey for Functional and Cosmetic Rhinoplasty, can classify severity. Cartilage grafting and open septorhinoplasty techniques are invaluable for correcting nasal valve obstruction; however, the traditional methods may be neither possible nor optimal for all patients. Minimally invasive treatment modalities have emerged to offer an alternative to classical treatment algorithms. Minimally invasive techniques aimed at improving the nasal valve function include nasal dilators, suture suspension, lateral nasal wall bioresorbable implants, and cartilaginous radio frequency remodeling. Benefits of these methods include clinic-based intervention, avoidance of general anesthesia, use in previously operated noses, and minimally invasive nature. Publications with ranging levels of evidence support the efficacy of these interventions when patients with isolated nasal valve obstruction are examined. Limitations in the data, such as study power, source of funding, duration of follow-up, and longevity of response, warrant the need for further investigation; however, the efficacy of these techniques justifies implementation in proper patient populations into current practice. Minimally invasive nasal valve correction is a valuable tool in the armamentarium of the facial plastic surgeon. It cannot and should not replace traditional septorhinoplasty; however, the techniques are a valuable consideration for the appropriate patient population.

PREVALENCE OF EXTERNAL AND/OR INTERNAL NASAL VALVE INSUFFICIENCY IN PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY SNORING AND OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

Introduction: Nasal valve insufficiency is a distinct cause of symptomatic nasal obstruction. The nasal valve has been described as the cross-sectional area with greater resistance to the respiratory-inspiratory flow of the entire respiratory system. This subject is of scientific and academic importance, because it is an original contribution to the aid in the treatment of snoring, considering that nasal valve insufficiency is one of the causes of symptomatic nasal obstruction. This nasal alteration has gained special attention from specialists in the evaluation of the symptomatology of patients with snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. Objective: This was a prospective, quantitative, observational, and interventionist study, with the objectives of evaluating the frequency of this alteration and confirming the momentary improvement of this signal with the use of an external nasal dilator device. Methods: Thirty-one patients who sought care at the IPO Hospital (Curitiba/PR, Brazil) participated in this study to evaluate the symptoms of snoring. Patients with snoring symptoms, with no predilection for ethnicity and sex, age 18 years or older, were included. The study was conducted from October to November 2019, by means of detailed anamnesis. Results: A high prevalence of nasal valve insufficiency was identified in the analyzed patients.

Improving Nasal Airflow with a Novel Nasal Breathing Stent.

Nasal obstruction requires close attention, as it is a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This study evaluated airflow rates of our newly designed nasal breathing stent (NBS) compared with those of existing nasal dilators in 10 adult men. We hypothesized that the NBS would expand the nasal passage more than the other nasal dilators by means of airflow measurements. We compared airflow measurements between the NBS and three existing appliances and no appliance. Velocity measurements were recorded by analyzing 499 videographic images when each appliance was placed next to a steam generator at 0, 5, and 10 mm from the outlet port for airflow visualization. The peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) rate was measured using an inspiratory flow meter. The NBS resulted in significantly higher airflow velocity measurements at all distances from the outlet port and a higher PNIF rate than the other appliances. Thus, the NBS offers a significantly decreased resistance to air movement compared with other appliances. Future in-depth investigations are required to demonstrate the use of NBS as a nasal dilator in conjunction with continuous positive airway pressure/oral appliance treatments in patients with OSA.

Safety and Efficacy of External Nasal Dilator Strips with N95 Respirator Masks by Emergency Department Personnel.

INTRODUCTIONThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has prompted increased use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to maintain the health and safety of caregivers. This study was conducted in 2020 to evaluate the safety and efficacy of external nasal dilator strips (ENDS) coupled with N95 respirators in a sample of community hospital emergency department personnel.METHODSAfter obtaining written consent, the authors tested participants’ response to exercise (i.e., walking up 10 flights of stairs) while wearing an N95 respirator, both with and without an ENDS. The authors measured participants’ heart rate and respiratory effort responses over four minutes following their exercise trial. A convenience sample of these personnel also repeated their respirator fit testing while wearing an ENDS with the N95 style they had previously been fitted for.RESULTSA total of N = 50 participants were enrolled. Peak heart rate while wearing an ENDS was 125 beats per minute (BPM) with the ENDS versus 130 BPM without (p = 0.21). The Borg Exertion Score while wearing an ENDS peaked at 13 with the ENDS versus 14 without (p = 0.08). However, when subjects were surveyed before and after the trial upon whether they would consider using an ENDS beneath their N95 using a scale of 1-5, their interest in this significantly increased (p = 0.004). Four of the 13 (31%) participants who completed repeated fit testing while wearing the ENDS beneath their N95 respirator failed the repeat testing.CONCLUSIONSThese results first suggest that a sizable proportion of ED personnel may fail N95 fit testing while wearing an ENDS beneath the N95 mask for which they had been previously fitted. Although providers’ subjective interest in use of ENDS increased, these results also demonstrate that use of an ENDS beneath an N95 respirator may not significantly increase exercise tolerance.

Effects of CPAP on Metabolic Syndrome in Patients With OSA: A Randomized Trial

OSA is associated with metabolic syndrome (MS), but it is unclear whether OSA treatment with CPAP can revert MS. Does OSA treatment with CPAP per se have effects on the MS reversibility and the associated metabolic, adiposity and vascular parameters? The TREATOSA-MS trial is a randomized placebo-controlled trial that enrolled adult patients with a recent diagnosis of MS and moderate or severe OSA (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI],≥ 15 events/h) to undergo therapeutic CPAP or nasal dilator strips (placebo group) for 6months. Before and after each intervention, we measured anthropometric variables, BP, glucose, and lipid profile. To control potential-related mechanisms and consequences, we also measured adiposity biomarkers (leptin and adiponectin), body composition, food intake, physical activity, subcutaneous and abdominal fat (visceral and hepatic fat), and endothelial function. One hundred patients (79%men; mean age, 48 ± 9 years; BMI, 33 ± 4kg/m2; AHI, 58 ± 29 events/h) completed the study (n= 50 per group). The mean CPAP adherence was 5.5 ± 1.5 h/night. After 6months, most patients with OSA randomized to CPAP retained the MS diagnosis, but the rate of MS reversibility was higher than observed in the placebo group (18%vs4%; OR, 5.27; 95%CI, 1.27-35.86; P= .04). In the secondary analysis, CPAP did not promote significant reductions in the individual components of MS, weight, hepatic steatosis, lipid profile, adiponectin, and leptin, but did promote a very modest reduction in visceral fat and improved endothelial function (all analyses were adjusted for baseline values). Despite the higher rate of MS reversibility after CPAP therapy as compared with placebo, most patients retained this diagnosis. The lack of significant or relevant effects on adiposity biomarkers and depots supports the modest role of OSA in modulating MS. ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT02295202; URL: www. gov.

Effectiveness of a New Internal Nasal Dilator in Pulmonary Function and Exercise Performance

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine changes in pulmonary function induced by an internal nasal dilator (IND) and to determine whether an IND enhances exercise performance.METHODS: Young, healthy men (n=13) were randomly assigned either an IND or control (CON) session to perform a pulmonary function test (PFT). All participants then completed treadmill exercise tests that consisted of maximal and submaximal running with or without an IND.RESULTS: Some variables of PFTs were increased in men that used INDs compared to those in the CON group (p&lt;.05, respectively). There was a significant difference between sessions in energy cost during the running test (65% VO2max) (p&lt;.05). In the IND group, respiratory muscle fatigue during exercise was lower, and relaxation of respiratory muscles after exercise was faster, as compared with the CON group (p&lt;.05).CONCLUSIONS: IND may contribute to improvements in pulmonary function. Furthermore, INDs may reduce energy costs and respiratory muscle fatigue during submaximal exercise by maintaining nasal breathing and facilitating respiratory muscle relaxation after maximal exercise tests.

Impact of nasal dilator strips on measures of sleep-disordered breathing in pregnancy.

Women with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in pregnancy are at a greater risk of developing serious adverse perinatal outcomes. However, the pathogenesis of SDB in pregnancy is poorly understood. As nasal congestion is common in pregnancy, nasal obstruction may contribute to SDB in this population. This study aims to assess the impact of nasal dilator strips (NDS) on measures of SDB and their potential for use as a placebo condition. Pregnant women ≥ 18 years old, body mass index ≥ 27 kg/m2, and habitual snoring were enrolled. Participants completed 2 consecutive level III home sleep apnea tests and used NDS during the second test. Objective measures including respiratory event index and pulse transit time drop index, a measure of increased arterial stiffness, were compared across tests. Subjective assessments of participants' perceived impact of NDS use was also obtained. 54 women, 59% White, 60% in the third trimester were enrolled. Median time between the 2 studies was 1 day (interquartile range [IQR] 4). There was no significant change between the night without NDS use and the night with NDS use in respiratory event index (5.30 [IQR 6.20] vs 4.80 [IQR 6.78], P = .8) or pulse transit time drop index (6.8 [IQR 13.3] vs 6.6 [IQR 15.8], P = .360). Subjective measures of sleep did not differ between the 2 nights. Despite the high prevalence of pregnancy-associated rhinitis, NDS do not have a significant impact on measures of SDB. Results from this study support the use of NDS as an appropriate placebo in prenatal clinical trials. Maxwell M, Sanapo L, Monteiro K, etal. Impact of nasal dilator strips on measures of sleep-disordered breathing in pregnancy. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(2):477-483.

Myofunctional therapy (oropharyngeal exercises) for obstructive sleep apnoea.

Myofunctional therapy (oropharyngeal exercises) for obstructive sleep apnoea.

Nasal function and cardio-respiratory capacity of adolescent with external nasal dilator

Backgroundthe external nasal dilator (END) has been employed for the purpose of aiding sporting performance. The objective of this study was to evaluate nasal function and cardio-respiratory capacity in healthy adolescent athletes using the END. Methodsdouble-blind, crossover clinical trial in which adolescents were evaluated while using the experimental and placebo END during physical exercise. Values for peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF), nasal resistance (NR) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) were obtained in randomized order. Additionally, the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) after the cardio-respiratory test was assessed. Resultsfor the 71 adolescents evaluated, the use of the experimental END, compared to the placebo, produced a significant improvement in values of PNIF (177.4 ± 20.9 L/min and 172.8 ± 20.2 L/min) (p = 0.020), NR (0.24 ± 0.16 and 0.27 ± 0.16) (p = 0.007), VO2max. (39.5 ± 5.2 mL/kg. min-1 and 37.5 ± 5.2 mL/kg. min-1) (p < 0.001) and RPE (6.0 ± 2.2 and 5.5 ± 2.4) (p < 0.001), respectively. Conclusionthe END reduced NR, increased PNIF and improved VO2max. In addition, it improved RPE after the maximal cardio-respiratory test. The use of the END can significantly improve nasal function, increase cardio-respiratory capacity and reduce rating of perceived exertion during a maximal test involving adolescent athletes.

Fabricating a partial nasal prosthesis with a custom nasal dilator design

Patients undergoing partial rhinectomy with limited size may have the major portion of the nasal structure preserved. However, the fibrosis or scar formation after the surgery may cause distortion of remaining tissues, followed by nasal airway obstruction. By physically expanding an affected nostril during the impression and using digital technology to design a custom flexible internal nasal dilator, embedded in the medical grade silicone during processing, a partial nasal prosthesis with airway-maintaining purpose can be fabricated to improve quality of life both esthetically and functionally.

Does the external nasal dilator strip help in sports activity? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Numerous studies have shown that the external nasal dilator (END) increases the cross sectional area of the nasal valve, thereby reducing nasal resistance, transnasal inspiratory pressure, stabilizing the lateral nasal vestibule, and preventing its collapse during final inhalation. Our objective was to carry out a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis on the effects of the END during physical exercise. After selecting articles in the PubMed, Cochrane Library and EMBASE databases, 624 studies were identified. However, after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 19 articles were considered eligible for review. Those studies included in the meta-analysis, the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max.) outcome was assessed in 168 participants in which no statistically significant difference was found, MD (95% CI) = 0.86 [- 0.43, 2.15], p = 0.19, and I2 = 0%. The heart rate (HR) outcome was assessed in 138 participants in which no statistically significant difference was found, MD (95% CI) = 0.02 [- 3.19, 3.22], p = 0.99, and I2 = 0%. The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) outcome was assessed in 92 participants in which no statistically significant difference was found, MD (95% CI) = - 0.12 [- 0.52, 0.28], p = 0.56, and I2 = 27%. The external nasal dilator strip showed no improvement in VO2max., HR and RPE outcomes in healthy individuals during exercise.