Abstract

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: We sought to report the long-term, symptom-focused, prospective outcomes in empty nose syndrome (ENS) patients after undergoing inferior meatus augmentation procedure (IMAP) through use of four validated questionnaires: Empty Nose Syndrome 6-Item Questionnaire (ENS6Q), 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale (GAD-7), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case series.METHODS: A single-center prospective case series was performed for patients diagnosed with ENS who underwent IMAP between July 2017 and February 2020. Diagnosis of ENS was based on the following criteria: 1) reported discomfort with nasal breathing and/or paradoxical nasal obstruction after inferior turbinate reduction, 2) a positive ENS6Q score of at least 11, and 3) a positive cotton test. Questionnaire responses were recorded prior to surgery as well as 1, 3, 6, and 12months postoperatively.RESULTS: Seventeen eligible patients were included. Mean ENS6Q scores were significantly reduced at all postoperative time points (p<.0001, p<.0001, p<.0001, p=.0003). Of the six ENS6Q subdomains, five (suffocation, dryness, sense of diminished airflow, nasal crusting, and nasal burning) were significantly reduced 1-year postoperatively (p<.0001, p=.0004, p=.0136, p=.0114, p=.0080, respectively). SNOT-22 scores were significantly reduced at all time points (p=.0021, p=.0227, p=.0004, and p=.0025). Of the SNOT-22 subdomains, the sleep subdomain was significantly reduced 1-year postoperatively (p=.0432). Low baseline GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores were recorded at 7 and 9.4, respectively, and although scores at all postoperative time points were reduced, there was no statistical significance.CONCLUSION: IMAP via implant of cadaveric rib cartilage provides significant, long-term improvements in ENS-specific and general sinonasal symptoms.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV Laryngoscope, 2021.

View details for DOI 10.1002/lary.29593

View details for PubMedID 33991117