An objective analysis of the impact of lateral rhinotomy and medial maxillectomy on nasal airway function.
OBJECTIVE
The lateral rhinotomy and medial maxillectomy procedure, while known to interrupt nasal valve supports, has not previously been reported to adversely affect nasal airway function. The purpose of this study was to utilize state-of-the-art techniques to objectively analyze the impact of this procedure on nasal airway function.


METHODS
The study design was retrospective and subject controlled.


METHODS
The study population was derived from an academic, tertiary-referral, otolaryngology-head and neck surgery department with an estimated catchment population of 4 million people. Subjects included 21 consecutive, long-term postoperative patients who had undergone lateral rhinotomy and medial maxillectomy for inverted papilloma. Objective measures included vestibular cephalometric measurements, airflow rhinomanometry, and acoustic rhinometry.


RESULTS
Statistically significant results reveal that although lateral rhinotomy and medial maxillectomy are associated with alar collapse, both overall nasal airflow and valve areas are increased.


CONCLUSIONS
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 turbinate. This suggests that lateral rhinotomy performed in conjunction with operations not requiring inferior turbinectomy, such as anterior craniofacial resection, may adversely affect nasal airway function.
Lueg
E A
EA
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Toronto, Canada.
Irish
J C
JC
Roth
Y
Y
Brown
D H
DH
Witterick
I J
IJ
Chapnik
J S
JS
Gullane
P J
PJ
D000162:Acoustics; D000328:Adult; D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry / Q000379:methods*; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000502:physiology*; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D018308:Papilloma, Inverted / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000379:methods*