The impact of nasal valve surgery on snoring.

OBJECTIVES

Snoring is a common complaint in ENT and sleep medicine clinics, with significant social relevance and potentially indicating more serious conditions, such as upper airway resistance syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea. This prospective analytical study evaluated the impact of nasal surgery on reducing snoring duration in patients with a history of nasal obstruction.

METHODS

Thirty patients were selected and divided into two groups: Group 1, consisting of patients with complex septal deviations, nasal valve weaknesses, visible nasal structural changes, and a history of snoring; and Group 2, with moderate to severe septal deviations and snoring complaints. The duration of snoring as a percentage of sleep time was measured using the SnoreLab™ mobile app. Additionally, nasal obstructive symptoms, risk of obstructive sleep apnea, excessive daytime sleepiness, and nasal aesthetic satisfaction were assessed using specific scales.

RESULTS

The results showed a significant reduction in snoring time in Group 1. A weak association was found between chronic nasal obstruction and increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea in both groups.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that surgical correction of nasal obstructions may be an effective approach to reducing snoring, emphasizing the importance of a thorough assessment of nasal anatomy in patients with complaints of nasal obstruction and snoring.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: The study, titled "The Impact of Nasal Valve Surgery on Snoring", is classified as Level III evidence. This level is based on the study's design as a prospective analytical study without randomization. Observational prospective studies like this one, which track patients over time to evaluate outcomes without the use of randomized control groups, are typically categorized as Level III evidence according to commonly accepted evidence hierarchies in clinical research.