Technique for assessing nasal airway resistance in patients treated prosthetically.

This investigation was designed to compare nasal airway resistance (Rnaw) values by use of "head-out" plethysmography and standard posterior pressure-flow rhinometry. Fourteen adults who had prostheses because of velopharyngeal inadequacy caused by a variety of etiologic conditions were examined. Each patient performed rest breathing and sustained /m/ productions to develop Rnaw values for comparison. The results revealed increased Rnaw and decreased cross-sectional nasal airway area and derived velopharyngeal orifice area when the appliances were in place. The two techniques for assessing Rnaw produced comparable results when certain conditions were met. Clinical implications for team assessment of patients involved with prosthetic management are discussed.