title: Assessment of nasal patency after rhinoplasty through the Glatzel mirror.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  OBJECTIVE evaluation of nasal function is a constant challenge for plastic surgeons, otolaryngologists, and allergists. The modified Glatzel mirror can evaluate nasal expiratory flow; however, there is little information on this method and its use in the measurement of nasal patency after surgical procedures.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare, in a prospective study, the functional results before and after cosmetic rhinoplasty and evaluate the use of the Glatzel mirror as an objective method to assess nasal patency.
  
  
  METHODS
  To achieve this objective, we analyzed the functional results of surgery through a subjective questionnaire and objective evaluation through a modified Glatzel mirror, and evaluated the correlation between the 2 methods. Twenty patients (14 women and 6 men) underwent aesthetic rhinoplasty using spreader grafts. Pre- and postoperative evaluation (90-120 days) included a respiratory quality score (subjective) and modified Glatzel mirror test (objective). Subsequently, the Spearman test was used to compare the pre- and postoperative subjective and objective data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The subjective evaluation demonstrated a statistical difference between pre- and postoperative scores (8 ± 2 and 9.4 ± 0.7, P ≤ 0.001). There was no statistical difference in mean nasal patency by modified Glatzel mirror. No statistically significant correlation was observed when comparing the modified Glatzel mirror values with the subjective scores reported by patients pre- or postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Glatzel method lacks sensitivity in detecting patient-reported improvements in breathing following rhinoplasty. This suggests that the method is a poor assessment tool to detect small, post-surgical changes in the nasal airways.
authors.affiliation: MD, PhD. Substitute Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery in the Federal University of Bahia - Medical School.
authors.forename: Victor Diniz
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: de Pochat
authors.affiliation: MD, Full Professor. Chief of Craniofacial Surgery Department in the Clinical Hospital - USP. Division of Plastic Surgery - HC-FMUSP, São Paulo/SP.
authors.forename: Nivaldo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Alonso
authors.affiliation: MD. Past President of LBCP. Medical School of Federal University of Bahia, Salvador/BA.
authors.forename: Rogério Rafael da Silva
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Mendes
authors.affiliation: Medical Student. President of LBCP. Federal University of Bahia. Salvador/BA.
authors.forename: Paula Rocha
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Gravina
authors.affiliation: Medical Student. Federal University of Bahia. Salvador/BA.
authors.forename: Eduardo Valente
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Cronenberg
authors.affiliation: MD, PhD. Associate Professor. Chief of the Plastic Surgery in the HUPES. Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery. HUPES - UFBA, Salvador/BA.
authors.forename: José Valber Lima
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Meneses
keywords: evaluation; respiration; rhinoplasty