Computational fluid dynamics calculations in inferior turbinate surgery: a cohort study

Abstract

Purpose To investigate how the results of nasal computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations change due to inferior turbinate surgery and how the results correlate with patient specific subjective assessment and volumetric results in the nasal cavities. Methods The steady inspiratory airflow of 25 patients was studied pre- and postoperatively with heat transfer from the mucous membrane by performing CFD calculations to patient-specific nasal cone beam computed tomography images. These results were then compared to the severity of the patients’ nasal obstruction Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Glasgow Health Status Inventory assessments, and acoustic rhinometry measurements. Results Total wall shear forces decreased statistically significantly (p < 0.01) in the operated parts of the inferior turbinates. Patients’ subjective nasal obstruction VAS assessment changes between the pre- and postoperative conditions correlated statistically significantly (p = 0.04) with the wall shear force results. Conclusion Inferior turbinate surgery lead to decreased total wall shear force values postoperatively. Changes in subjective nasal obstruction VAS results against total wall shear force changes between the pre- and postoperative conditions were statistically significant. CFD data have a potential to be used for the evaluation of nasal airflow.

Computational Rhinology: Unraveling Discrepancies between In Silico and In Vivo Nasal Airflow Assessments for Enhanced Clinical Decision Support

“…Li et al [ 210 ] used CFD to study 30 patients with obstructive sleep apnea and NAO pre- and postoperatively to find the effect of nasal surgery on the airflow in the nasal and palate pharyngeal cavities. Ormiskangas et al [ 211 ] compared CFD-based wall shear stress and heat flux results to subjective evaluation of NAO pre- and post-inferior turbinate surgery for 25 patients.…”