Nasal Obstruction Compared by Rhinomanometry and Nasal Inspiratory Peak Flow After Endoscopic Nasal Surgery

Assessment of Nasal Obstruction, a Comparison Between Rhinomanometry and Nasal Inspiratory Peak Flow at Patients After Endoscopic Nasal Surgery

The aim of the project is to determine whether nasal inspiratory peak flow is sufficient for preoperative and postoperative measurement of nasal patency compared to rhinomanometry.

The nasal cavity is used to heat, humidify and purify the air before entering other parts of the respiratory system. Other functions of the nose include in particular olfactory, immune, reflex, or sexual functions. Proper airflow through the nasal cavity is essential for all nasal functions; anatomical or flow changes can significantly affect nasal functions.

Endoscopic transnasal surgical approaches are modern, mini-invasive methods, enabling the solution of pathologies in the area of the cranial base, through the nasal cavity. The advantage of this technique is the absence of external incisions and scars and significantly better cosmetic effect, these methods also offer very good clarity and illumination of the operating field. The main disadvantage is the risk of affecting the functions of the nose. To create a transnasal approach to the skull base, it is necessary to perform lateralization of middle turbinates, resection of the anterior wall of the sphenoidal sinus, and resection of the posterior part of the nasal septum. These interventions are necessary for a good overview and manipulation in the operated area, however, they can lead to postoperative changes in the physiological functions of the nasal cavity, especially loss of smell, and taste, altered airflow through the nasal cavity, mucociliary transport disorders, nasal obstruction, crusting or drying mucous membrane. All these adverse changes significantly affect the patient's quality of life.

As a standard, rhinomanometry is used to measure nasal patency before and after surgery. A modern new method is measuring the patency of the nasal cavity using an NPIF (nasal peak inspiratory flow) device, which has significantly lower acquisition costs, is easy to use, and, above all, fast. The disadvantage is that the examination is less detailed, the result is the amount of air flowing in l/min through the nasal cavity.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age over 18 years
• patients with pituitary adenoma indicated to endoscopic transnasal extirpation of the pituitary adenoma

Exclusion Criteria:

• patients after surgery of the nasal cavity or base of the skull
• patients with nasal disease and paranasal sinuses
• patients with olfactory disorders before surgery
• patients with nasal septal deviation that requires septoplasty