Surgical Management of Nasal Airway Obstruction

Abstract

The management and diagnosis of nasal airway obstruction requires an understanding of the form and function of the nose. Nasal airway obstruction can be structural, physiologic, or a combination of both. Anatomic causes of airway obstruction include septal deviation, internal nasal valve narrowing, external nasal valve collapse, and inferior turbinate hypertrophy. Thus, the management of nasal air obstruction must be selective and carefully considered. The goal of surgery is to address the deformity and not just enlarge the nasal cavity.

Keywords: Nasal breathing; Nasal obstruction; Nasal valve narrowing; Septal deviation; Turbinate hypertrophy.