OBJECTIVE AND SUBJECTIVE NASAL AIR-FLOW

Purpose: This study was designed to assess whether a correlation exist s between the rhinomanometric measurement of nasal resistance, nasal a irflow, and the subjective sensation of airflow. Materials and Methods : Sixteen patients with recurrent maxillary sinusitis were examined be fore and after uncinectomy during functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Subjective nasal sensation of airflow was assessed by means of a visu al scale before and after uncinectomy. Rhinomanometry was performed th ree times for every patient: before anesthesia, and before and after u ncinectomy. The subjective nasal sensation of airflow was compared wit h the nasal airflow and resistance to flow as measured by rhinomanomet ry. Results: Rhinomanometric measurements were almost the same before and after uncinectomy, with no significant difference, whereas patient s reported a significant improvement in nasal airflow. Conclusion: Rhi nomanometric measurements of nasal airflow and resistance often have n o correlation to the patient's sensation of airflow. However, because it is the patients' ultimate concern to breathe more comfortably, the rhinomanometer has little clinical value. Copyright (C) 1997 by W.B. S aunders Company.