Nasal Surgery for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common condition, primarily caused by narrowing of the nasal and pharyngeal airway. Treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is considered the first line of therapy, but long-term compliance is only about 40%, often because of nasal obstruction. Any nasal obstruction can worsen CPAP compliance. Treatment of the nasal obstruction with topical nasal steroid sprays or nasal dilators has been shown to improve sleep disordered breathing. Surgical treatment of nasal obstruction, has been shown to improve sleep disordered breathing, as well as CPAP requirement and compliance with CPAP.

Keywords: CPAP compliance; Nasal obstruction; Nasal surgery; Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome; Septoplasty; Sleep disordered breathing; Turbinate reduction.