Nasal Floor Augmentation: Retrospective Observations for Nasal Passage Volume and Breathing Function

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Plastic Surgery
• Rhinology

Background:

• Rehabilitating the atrophic maxilla presents challenges, particularly with limited bone height.
• Nasal floor augmentation is a technique to increase anterior maxillary bone height.
• The impact of this augmentation on nasal function and volume remains under-investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the relationship between nasal passage volume changes and patient-reported nasal obstruction after nasal floor augmentation.
• To evaluate the correlation using the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing iliac bone grafting and nasal floor augmentation for atrophic maxilla.
• Nasal passage volume measured via cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT).
• Nasal function assessed using the NOSE scale; correlation analyzed with Spearman rank correlation.

Main Results:

• A significant correlation was found between NOSE scores and nasal passage volume alteration (ρ = .889, P < .001).
• No significant correlation was observed between NOSE scores and bone height alterations (ρ = -.129, P = .689).
• Mean bone height increase was 5.70 mm; mean nasal passage volume decrease was 17.73%.

Conclusions:

• Changes in nasal passage volume appear to influence patient-reported breathing function more significantly than bone height increase.
• Surgical planning should aim to minimize nasal passage volume reduction during augmentation.
• Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings and establish causality.