Background

The aim of the study is to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of the intranasal dilator ‘Airmax’ on patients with snoring and OSAS.

Methodology

In the evaluation both models of the Airmax (developed and manufactured in the Netherlands) were used . The devices provide simultaneous dilation of the nasal vestibule and anteroinferior segment of the nasal cavity. Such placement of the device causes the lateral displacement of the nasal alae and lateral walls of the nasal cavity together with the anterior portion of the inferior nasal turbinate. Said dilation offers the enlargement of the common nasal passage and the nasal valve and, hence, increases air flow whilst decreasing impedance produced by intranasal structures while breathing in.

The BREAS system (Sweden) was used to carry out respiratory monitoring (RM), both with and without intranasal dilators. All patients and their bed partners filled in a questionnaire to estimate the quality of sleep with and without the Airmax. Some patients were subjected to rhinomanometry (HRR 3 4-Phase-Rhinomanometer, Germany) and thermistography (developed by Airmax itself).

All patients were considered to manifest the following pathologies: provocative snoring and OSAS, as: hyperplasia of the palatal and lingual tonsils, micrognathia and deviation of nasal septum.

(Endovideorhinopharyngoscopy with functional probes carried out on patients lying on the back).