Surgically treatable upper respiratory disorders.

Diseases of the upper airways and trachea frequently result in inspiratory dyspnea, and surgery is often required to alleviate symptoms arising from these disorders. Although surgery alone may not effectively treat all diseases of the nasal cavity and sinuses, surgery allows removal of foreign bodies that cannot be retrieved endoscopically and may facilitate treatment of other disorders. Indications for surgery are discussed, and principles of surgery of the upper airways are reviewed.