Can nasal surgery improve obstructive sleep apnea: Subjective or objective?

Background: This study assessed changes in sleep-related symptoms and polysomnographic parameters after nasal surgery for nasal obstruction in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) adults in Taiwan. Methods: A total of 66 patients with OSA and chronic nasal obstruction were recruited (surgical, n = 44; control, n = 22). Nasal surgery alone was the treatment in surgical patients. Outcomes were measured in a Snore Outcome Survey (SOS), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), rhinomanometry, and polysomnographic parameters at baseline and again after 3 months. Results: Significantly improved nasal resistance as measured by the SOS and ESS were found only in the surgical group (all, p < 0.001). Both groups revealed insignificant changes in polysomnographic parameters. The patients with lower body weight index, less daytime sleepiness, and lower tongue position had a better success rate than the others (50% versus 3%; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Although nasal surgery relieved snoring and daytime sleepiness, it had variable effects on polysomnographic parameters. (Am J Rhinol Allergy 23, e51-e55, 2009; doi: 10.2500/ajra.2009.23.3358)