Postoperative improvement in acoustic rhinometry measurements after septoplasty correlates with long-term...

Not much is known about long-term satisfaction of septoplasty. Our goal was to compare pre- and postoperative acoustic rhinometry measurements with satisfaction 11 years after surgery.

Acoustic rhinometry measurements were performed preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. Satisfaction was evaluated with semi-structured interviews by telephone 11 years after surgery. Symptoms were evaluated using the NOSE score.

In total, 222 patients were interviewed and eligible to enter the study. Of these, 213 had preoperative acoustic rhinometry and 159 had postoperative acoustic rhinometry. In total, 157 patients had a complete data set. Mean follow-up time was 11.3 years. Patients satisfied with surgery had a bigger improvement in total minimum cross-sectional area before decongestion and total nasal cavity volume after decongestion. NOSE scores were not correlated with acoustic rhinometry measurements.

Acoustic rhinometry could be a valuable tool for evaluating the results of septoplasty. Satisfaction at 11 years follow-up was associated with 3 months postoperative acoustic rhinometry improvements. Acoustic rhinometry did not show preoperative patient selection potential.