Abstract: Objective   To investigate pre- and post-operative of nasal volume in severe OSAHS patients without nasal disease. Method  This study included 102 healthy volunteers as control group and 46 severe OSAHS patients without nasal disease as observation group, all patients were underwent coblation-assisting modified uvulopalatopharyngoplasty combined with coblation-channeling of tongue(H-UPPP & CCT). The nasal volume from 0 to 5cm,2 to 5cm(V5,V2-5),the minimum cross-sectional area(MCA) and the distance of the minimal cross-sectional area to the nostril(DCAN) were measured by Acoustic rhinometry(AR), while snoring index(SI), apnea-hypopnea index(AHI), the lowest oxygen saturation(LSaO2) and the average oxygen saturation(SaO2) were recorded by Polysomnography(PSG) before operation and 6 months after operation respectively. Result  Compared with normal group, the preoperative V5 and V2-5 decreased in observation group(P<0.01). V5 and V2-5 in observation group increased after operation(P<0.05), but with no significant difference compared with normal group. SI, AHI, LSaO2 and SaO2 were all improved in observation group post-operative(P<0.05). Conclusion  Compared with normal group,the volume of the nasal cavity in severe OSAHS patients without nasal disease significantly reduced. And while improving the upper airway collapse by H-UPPP & CCT, nasal capacity can be enlarged, and nasal ventilation can be improved.

Key words: rhinometry, acoustic, Sleep apnea, obstructive, polysomnography, Surgica1 operation