Nasal cavity ventilation expansion techniques

Abstract

Nasal cavity ventilation expansion surgery has been progressively developed alongside an advanced understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of sleep-disordered breathing and the maturation of endoscopic surgery techniques. Nasal cavity ventilation expansion surgery could increase the ventilation volume of the nasal cavity effectively and decrease the nasal resistance, relieve the upper airway obstruction, and finally remove the original obstructive factor in the upper airway obstruction. The major significance of these procedures is to decrease the pre-ventilation resistance of the upper airway, to relieve pharyngeal collapse, to recover normal ventilatory function, to promote physical recovery, to re-establish normal metabolic functions, and to restore sleep structure. Nasal cavity ventilation expansion surgery includes a series of procedures and to open nasal sinuses symmetrically could decrease the nasal resistance, relieve the upper airway obstruction, and finally remove the original obstructive factor in the upper airway obstruction. The application of endoscopic surgery to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) enhances the ventilation volume and symmetry of nasal cavity ventilation and has expanded the range of indications for which functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is effective. Combined with H-uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (H-UPPP), the outcome of surgical treatment on ventilation disorders of the upper airway obstruction and the symptoms of OSA will both be improved.

Keywords::

• Upper airway
• obstruction
• sleep-disordered breathing
• obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome
• OSAHS
• sleep apnea
• endoscopic sinus surgery

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.