Effect of reduction rhinoplasty on nasal volume

Abstract

Reduction rhinoplasty is one of the most common operations done to patients complaining from dorsal nasal humps. However some patients may complain from nasal obstruction following reduction rhinoplasty specially on using lateral osteotomies. The cause for nasal obstruction is mainly narrowing of the nasal valve area. Acoustic rhinometry is an objective method used in measuring the minimal cross sectional area that corresponds to the nasal valve. An important property of acoustic rhinometry is the ability to localize and quantify reversible (mucosal) blockage, in addition to irreversible (structural anatomic) blockage. Yet measurement of the acoustic reflection beyond the nasopharynx is not as accurate as measuring the anterior nares. Also AR can measure the nasal volume in each side of the nasal cavity and can detect the change in volume postoperatively. Another objective method that has been used to measure the nasal valve and the nasal airway was the CT scan Paranasal sinuses. In order to get better results an acoustic axis has to be drawn through the nasal cavity (this axis passes through the nasal airway) and perpendicular lines across this axis are drawn. I