RHINOMANOMETRY AS A METHOD FOR OBJECTIFICATION OF NASAL AIR RESISTANCE IN SELECTING PATIENTS FOR SEPTORHINOPLASTY

Abstract

Abstract Aim of the study. To objectify the nasal air resistance (nasal obstruction) using rhinomanometry while selecting patients for septorhinoplasty. Methods. This is a prospective, non-randomized study which compriseda totalof 100 patients experiencing deviations of the nasal septum (deviatioseptinasi) aloneor along with deformities of the nasal pyramid: rhinokyphosis, rhinoscoliosis, rhinolordosis (“saddle nose”), and “functional tension nose”. The examined patients were added to the list for surgical septo/rhinoplasty procedures performed at the ENT Clinic at the University Hospital Center in Skopje and the General Hospital "Remedika", during the period of 2014-2019. The rhinomanometry examinations were performed at the General Hospital "Remedika" in Skopje.The examined groups were divided according to several parameters.Based on the degree of nasal obstruction, patients were divided into 3 groups:Group IA had a severe degree of nasal obstruction (severe degree of nasal resistance); Group IB had a moderate degree of nasal obstruction (moderate degree of nasal resistance); Group II had a mild degree of nasal obstruction (mild degree of nasal resistance), and this group was clinically monitored for a year when a decision was made onperforming a surgical intervention. Results. Despite dividing patients into three groups and the one-year follow-uppeiodofpatients with a mild degree of nasal obstruction, all patients underwent septoplasty. The results obtained enabled us to differentiate and grouppatients who were truly in need of septo/rhinoplasty and patients whowere to be monitored and treated with medication. Conclusion. Rhinomanometry allows classification of patients forurgent intervention according to the results on the degree of nasal obstruction as well as the degree of nasal symptomatology.