Enhancing Diagnostic Precision and Treatment Efficacy using Nasal Inspiratory Peak Flowmeter and Snoring Strips in Functional Septorhinoplasty - A Prospective Study

Introduction: This study aims to assess pre-operative and post-operative nasal airflow in patients undergoing functional septorhinoplasty aiming to pinpoint the sites of obstruction and tailor precise surgical interventions accordingly. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational cohort study of 57 patients undergoing functional septorhinoplasty was conducted. Nasal airflow was measured using a nasal inspiratory peak flowmeter with and without snoring strips at the internal nasal valve and external nasal valve, both preoperatively and at 2, 4 and 6 months postoperatively along with subjective assessment using the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) score. Results: The mean NOSE score fell from 56.05 ± 19.6 to 11.23 ± 9.8 6 months postoperatively ( P < 0.01). Nasal inspiratory peak flow (NIPF) measurements showed a gradual mean increase from 55.02 L/min to 101.09 L/min at 6 months postoperatively. Snoring strips at the internal nasal valve improved airflow in 68.4% of patients versus 31.5% at the external valve. Discussion: NIPF with snoring strips helps diagnose nasal valve dysfunction and guide appropriate grafting technique.