The nasal passage following rhinoplastic surgery.

A follow-up examination has been carried out of 238 patients suffering from nasal obstruction and mouth-breathing. Only 75 per cent of the patients achieved normal nasal passages. The results were significantly poorer in patients suffering from allergic or vasomotor rhinitis, in cases of long-standing mouth-breathing, and in those cases in which the patient had been subjected to earlier rhinoplastic surgery. Our investigation has indicated that a re-evaluation of the indications for surgery in the above-mentioned cases is necessary, and that a more cautious attitude should be taken regarding the possibility of achieving a normal nasal passage following rhinoplastic surgery.