title: The Effect of Nasal Obstruction after Different Nasal Surgeries Using Acoustic Rhinometry and Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation Scale.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The efficiency of nasal surgeries can be determined by objective or subjective methods. We have assessed the effect of nasal obstruction after different nasal surgeries using Acoustic Rhinometry (AR) and Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) Scale.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between May 2011 and May 2012, 40 young adult patients and 10 healthy volunteers as control group who referred to Otorhinolaryngology Clinic in Eskisehir Military Hospital due to nasal obstruction were enrolled. Depending on operation, patients were divided into four equal groups. Group 1: Septoplasty, Group 2: Septoplasty with sprader graft, Group 3: Septorinoplasty and Group 4: Septorhinoplasty with spreader graft. The patients completed NOSE scale, 1 week before and 1 month after the surgery and AR measurements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were a significant improvement in mean NOSE scores of patients and statistical difference was found between pre and post-operational values for each group. There was a statistically significant change of the mean minimal cross section areas (MCA) of the deviated side of nasal passages measured by AR between pre and postoperative period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with nasal obstruction, functional nasal surgeries which were performed after appropriate medical examination and with right operation methods had a positive impact on quality of life and patient satisfaction. We observed that nasal findings were correlated with NOSE scores and MCA values. So, we suggest that NOSE scale and AR to be used for evaluation of the efficiency of functional nasal surgeries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eskisehir Military Hospital, Eskisehir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Erkan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kahraman
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Etimesgut Military Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yakup
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cil
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Armagan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Incesulu
keywords: NOSE scale; Nasal obstruction; acoustic rhinometry; nasal surgery