Revista de Otologia e Rinologia

Septoplasty is Promising for Improving Snoring

Alharethy S

Abstract

Background: An appropriate quantity of sleep is of paramount importance with respect to avoiding illnesses and facilitating the recuperation of the immune system. Sleep deprivation may result in health issues such as hypertension, weight gain, memory loss and diabetes. Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) are prevalent and important causes of sleep disturbance that have significant physical and social consequences. Any intervention that improves snoring will improve the quality of life of individuals who snore.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the success and efficacy of septoplasty for patients with snoring. Methods: A total of 120 consecutive patients who underwent septoplasty between May 2011 and January 2015 to treat chronic nasal obstruction and troublesome snoring with sleep disturbance were included in this prospective, non-randomized study. Detailed rhino-pharyngo-laryngological examinations were performed for all patients. Patients not only completed questionnaires that addressed their complaints and their demographic information but were also questioned regarding their ease of breathing, their use of medications before and after surgery and their satisfaction with the surgical outcome. The Nose Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale was also completed for all patients.

Results: A total of 120 patients completed the study, 56% of whom were male and 44% of whom were female. The patients’ mean age and body mass index (BMI) were 34.8 ± 7.4 yrs and 23.66 ± 5.4 kg/m² , respectively. Sixteen patients (13.3%) were diabetic, and 14 patients (11.6%) were hypertensive. The patients’ mean postoperative NOSE scores and ease-of-breathing scores were significantly improved after septoplasty relative to before septoplasty (p<0.05 for each metric), and both improvements were sustained for at least 6 months after surgery. Patient satisfaction was extremely high; 79 patients (65.8%) reported relief from snoring, whereas the remaining patients reported experiencing a decrease in the loudness of snoring and better uninterrupted sleep.

Conclusion: Septoplasty is an effective procedure to relieve snoring in patients with nasal obstruction. Septoplasty improved the quality and duration of uninterrupted sleep. The majority of patients experienced improvement after surgery, and these improvements were sustained for at least six months. The patients’ satisfaction levels were high. Septoplasty is therefore promising for patients who snore due to nasal obstruction.