Rhinoresistometry as a Cost-Efficient and Time-Saving Alternative to Acoustic Rhinometry for Longitudinal Assessment of Nasal Patency in Orthognathic Surgery.

Rhinoresistometry (RRM) is implemented along with active anterior rhinomanometry (AAR) and can evaluate nasal dimensions [hydraulic diameter (HD)]. As acoustic rhinometry (AR) is time-consuming, the authors investigated if RRM can be an efficient alternative to AR in nasal dimension assessment in orthognathic surgery. In patients undergoing maxillary advancement and impaction (cases) and removal of maxillary cysts (controls), the authors evaluated RRM and AR, before and 1 year after surgery. Furthermore, the authors investigated the correlation of HD with Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation score and volume by computed tomography and AAR. Lastly, the authors measured RMM reproducibility by the Bland-Altman agreement method in controls. In 14 cases, AR and RMM revealed a significant increase on both sides (all P < 0.011) and the right side, respectively (P = 0.028). The authors noted no changes in 14 controls. Hydraulic diameter correlated only with AAR (most P < 0.004). Acoustic rhinometry lasted ~4 minutes before or after decongestion. In controls, HD after surgery was as large (1.05 times larger) as before surgery (up to 39% error rates). Rhinoresistometry can reproducibly assess nasal dimension changes in orthognathic surgery in a way that is different from AR and correlates with nasal function. Rhinoresistometry can help clinicians avoid AR and save significant time, as well as financial and human resources.