Nasal Functional Evaluation Using Nasal Endoscopy, Acoustic Rhinometry, and Rhinomanometry on Nasal Airway-Obstructed Patients after Endoscopic Septoplasty, Corrective Rhinoplasty, and Internal Nasal Valve Surgery

Objective: Rhinoplasty is a very common surgical procedure that is performed throughout the world as well as in our country for aesthetic concerns, nasal obstruction, or both. However, functional results still remain subjective, and compared to the vast number of operations, studies about functional results in the literature are very limited. The aim of this study is to evaluate respiratory functions after corrective rhinoplasty and to find the benefits both numerically and statistically. Material and Methods: Thirty patients who were admitted to our department with nasal obstruction based on the statements of the patients were included in the study. Patients who were admitted only for aesthetic considerations were excluded from the study. These patients were preoperatively evaluated with radiographic and endoscopic imaging; preoperative nasal resistance and nasal airway cross-sectional area values were measured and recorded with acoustic rhinometry and rhinomanometry devices. Then, patients were operated by open rhinoplasty technique, and measurements were repeated at three months and one year postoperative follow-ups. Results: As a result of measurements made with rhinomanometry one year after the surgery, a decrease in resistance value was observed in 20 patients, and an increase in minimal cross-sectional area measured with acoustic rhinometry was observed in 24 patients. The values measured by both methods were found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: As a result of our study, we advocate performing both functional and aesthetic rhinoplasty operations instead of functional or aesthetic purposes alone.