[Effect of the external nasal dilator breathe right and nasal cycle influence]

The external nasal dilator Breathe Right is a nonprescription disposable mechanical device worn over the bridge of the nose that supports the outer walls of the nasal vestibule to increase cross-sectional nasal valve area and enhance air flow through the nose. When worn, the device applies a gentle outward pull to the outside walls of the nasal vestibule that helps prevent collapse of the lateral walls of the nasal vestibule. The device appears similar to an adhesive bandage with two polyester springs attached lengthwise to the nonadhesive side of the backing material. The form of the external nose varies significantly between racial groups and some comment is possible about the form of the nasal valve, i.e., Caucasian noses are leptorrhine, Negroid noses platyrrhine, and Oriental noses intermediate. A question exists about whether Breathe Right is as effective in Japanese as in Caucasians against nasal obstruction. We measured the effect by acoustic rhinometry in 35 healthy subjects. We measured 2 cross-sectional areas-the I-notch and C-notch-and 3 nasal volumes-V(0-1), from 0 to 1 cm corresponding to the I-notch, V(1-3), from 1 to 3cm corresponding to the C notch, and V (3-6), from 3 to 6cm. We studied the influence of the nasal cycle on the effect of Breathe Right in the nasal cavity. We evaluated subjects in a stable sitting position before applying Breathe Right, after using 5 minutes, and in a free interval of 25 minutes following. The experiment was repeated 10 times. We found that Breathe Right increases the nasal volume especially in V(1-3) and the cross-sectional area especially in the C-notch. Interestingly, the change in the C-notch decreased gradually with time. One possible mechanism may be the change in compliance between the skin under the Breathe Right and the nasal mucous membrane. The nasal cycle did not significantly influence the effect of Breathe Right.