For this prospective study, the authors assessed the quality of life (QoL) with the rhinosinusitis SNOT-20 (Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-20) questionnaire and the symptoms on a visual analogue scale (VAS) in all patients undergoing nasal septal surgery. The patients reported the SNOT-20 and the VAS scores preoperatively as well as six months after surgery. The authors compared these scores with controls.
Their results revealed that septoplasty improves symptoms as well as QoL significantly although the patients did not achieve the same QoL as healthy subjects. In the postoperative period, patients with allergic rhinitis reported more nasal block and facial pressure while patients with obstructive sleep apnoea reported significantly more snoring.
The authors suggest that patients with allergies should be offered postoperative medical treatment for relief of symptoms and those with obstructive sleep apnoea could be offered other treatment options to relieve snoring.
