Development of the Nasal Crusting Score: A Novel Way of Assessing Airway Patency

Endoscopic Sinus Surgery & Endoscopic Septal Correction are among the most common surgeries done by an Otorhinolaryngologist. Crusting in the nose is basically dried mucus and is the most common complications post nasal surgeries. 213 individuals undergoing Endoscopic Septal Correction and Endoscopic Sinus Surgery were included in the study. The Nasal Crusting Score was used post-surgery to look for crusts which were blocking the airway, noted once a day at 6 am in the Post-Operative days. The Nasal Crusting Score was found to have a decreasing trend from post operative days 3 to 14. The p-value is found to be significant on comparing the crusting from the 2nd post operative days to the end of 14 days. This study presents a novel way of understanding airway problems caused by crusting after Endoscopic Septal Correction and Endoscopic Sinus Surgery by means of a Nasal Crusting Score. Quantitative assessment of the nasal airway has not been studied as date and all Quality of Life questionnaires also have a response bias. Older studies have proven that crusting is the hardest to manage and thus requires a protocol for treatment. This study presents a novel Nasal Crusting Score which can help assess the patency of the airway. It can prove to be a useful tool to quickly have a non-patient dependant scoring. The tool is simple and easy to use and can be done without using complex instruments.