Preoperative characteristics of over 1,300 functional septorhinoplasty patients

Objective: To identify characteristics of patients presenting preoperatively for functional septorhinoplasty associated with increased Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scores. Study Design: Retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort at a tertiary medical center. Only baseline assessments were analyzed in this cross-sectional study. Methods: 1,338 patients completed baseline nasal evaluation, resulting in 1,034 NOSE scores. Demographics, medical history, surgical history, and physical exam findings were recorded. Results: The average preoperative NOSE score was 59.8 out of 100 (standard deviation: 24.9). Fifty-four percent (578 per 1,074) of respondents were female, although sex did not affect baseline NOSE score (P = 0.7). Forty-five percent (404 per 896) reported prior nasal surgery. History of rhinoplasty was not associated with a difference in baseline NOSE score (P = 0.1924); however, history of septoplasty (P = 0.0390) was associated with an increased baseline NOSE score. Snoring was also both associated with higher baseline NOSE score (P = 0.0003). All 12 septal/nasal valve measurements were associated with higher preoperative NOSE score, whereas the internal nasal valve narrowing variables retained significance in multivariate analysis (left: P =.0490; right: P =.0077). Conclusion: Patients presenting for nasal airway obstruction were evaluated. Sex was not associated with difference in NOSE score. History of septoplasty was associated with higher baseline NOSE score, as were snoring and internal nasal valve narrowing at rest. Level of Evidence: 2C Laryngoscope, 130:25–31, 2020.