Surgically treatable upper respiratory disorders

Diseases of the upper airways and trachea frequently result in inspiratory dyspnea, and surgery is often required to alleviate symptoms arising from t hese disorders. Although surgery alone may not effectively treat all diseas es of the nasal cavity and sinuses, surgery allows removal of foreign bodie s that cannot be retrieved endoscopically and may facilitate treatment of o ther disorders. Indications for surgery are discussed, and principles of su rgery of the upper airways are reviewed.