The effect of external nasal dilators as measured by acoustic rhinometry

The effect of a commercially available external nasal dilator, Breathe Right (CNS, Inc., Minneapolis, MN) was measured with acoustic rhinometry in 11 healthy subjects. The cross-sectional areas--1, 2 and 3--and nasal volume--from 0 to 6 cm2--were obtained in four situations: 1) pre-decongested with no dilator, 2) pre-decongested with dilator, 3) post-decongested without dilator, and 4) post-decongested with dilator. The device significantly increased cross-sectional area (CSA) 1, which corresponds to the nasal valve area in both the pre-decongestant and post-decongestant states (p = .0001 for both). The appliance also significantly increased the nasal volume in the pre-decongested state (p = .0002), but was not significant for the post-decongested state (p = .0707). The appliance caused a significantly greater increase in CSA 1 as compared to that achieved with decongestion alone. The results of this study indicate that the Breathe Right nasal dilator may be used ot increase the area of the nasal valve.