Impact of short-time nasal intubation on postoperative respiration

Until now few data on postoperative nasal respiration after nasal intubation is known which is of special importance for surgery, where postoperative intermaxillary fixation is necessary. This study was planned to acquire information about nasal breathing during the first postoperative week. Twelve patients treated for mandibular retrognathism were examined repeatedly by way of anterior active rhinometry, acoustic rhinometry, and rhinoresistometry before and after surgery over one week. In addition the subjective evaluation was checked on a visual analogue scale. Following intubation, significant changes in "objective" and subjective measurements of nasal respiration could be noted only on the second postoperative day. Comparing rhinomanometric and subjective data, a correlation could be found on postoperative day two only. In this study group short-time nasal intubation had no significant impact on postoperative respiration.