Nasal surgery and airway resistance

This study investigates the effects of surgery and bronchodilation on nasal and pulmonary resistance. The plethysmograph is evaluated as a clinical tool for nasal flow studies. The method of adapting the plethysmograph to measure nasal resistance is presented. Discriminant Function Analysis considers the effects of surgery and bronchodilatation on 15 variables. The statistical analysis of 38 cases demonstrates the benefits of improved nasal airway for pulmonary airway resistance. A review of the literature points out many of the difficulties in measuring nasal airflow. The plethysmograph emerges as an available easily adapted clinical tool that overcomes many of the short-comings in earlier techniques and in rhinomanometry. The rhinologist is offered further insight into the nasopulmonary relationship and the use of the plethysmograph to document the effects of nasal surgery.