AN OBJECTIVE ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF LATERAL RHINOTOMY AND MEDIAL MAXILLECTOMY ON NASAL AIRWAY FUNCTION

Objective: The lateral rhinotomy and medial maxilectomy procedure, whi le known to interrupt nasal valve supports, has not previously been re ported to ad versely affect nasal airway function.The purpose of this study was to utilize state-of-the-art techniques to objectively analyz e the impact of this procedure on nasal airway function. Design: The s tudy design was retrospective and subject controlled. Methods: The stu dy population was derived from an academic, tertiary-referral, otolarg ngology-head and neck surgery department with an estimated catchment p opulation of 4 million people. Subjects included 21 consecutive, long- term postoperative patients who had undergone lateral rhinotomy and me dial maxillectomy for inverted papilloma. Objective measures included vestibular cephalometric measurements, airflow rhinomanometry, and aco ustic rhinometry. Results: Statistically significant results reveal th at although lateral rhinotomy and medial maxillectomy are associated w ith alar collapse, both overall nasal airflow and valve areas are incr eased. Conclusion: Lateral rhinotomy and medial maxillectomy does not adversely affect nasal airway function. This appears to be the result of concomitant resection of the functionally dominant inferior turbina te. This suggests that lateral rhinotomy performed in conjunction with operations not requiring inferior turbinectomy, such as anterior cran iofacial resection, may adversely affect nasal airway function.