Effect of the external nasal dilator on nasal minimal cross-sectional area in orientals as assessed by acoustic rhinometry.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the external nasal dilator on the dimension of the nasal valve in Orientals.


METHODS
A cohort study of normal subjects.


METHODS
Academic institution.


METHODS
The nasal fossae of normal subjects were assessed by acoustic rhinometry before and after application of the external nasal dilator.


METHODS
The minimal cross-sectional area of the nasal fossae and the total cross-sectional area of the nose.


RESULTS
Nasal fossae of 25 normal subjects were evaluated. There was a significant increase of 0.10 cm2 (SD = 0.16) or a 17% increase in the minimal cross-sectional area of the 50 nasal cavities after application of the external nasal dilator (Wilcoxon's matched-pairs signed rank test, p = .0001). A significant increase in the total minimal cross-sectional area for the whole nose after application was also present (0.19 cm2, SD = .27, or 16%; Wilcoxon's matched-pairs signed rank test, p = .0032).


CONCLUSIONS
The external nasal dilator results in an increase in the minimal cross-sectional area of the nasal airway in Orientals.
Ho
W K
WK
Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.
Wei
W I
WI
Yuen
A P
AP
Hui
Y
Y
D015331:Cohort Studies; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D044469:Racial Groups; D023842:Rhinometry, Acoustic / Q000295:instrumentation*