Clinical Outcomes for the Surgical Treatment of Sinonasal Headache

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to explore the changes in patient-relevant clinical outcomes in a selected group undergoing surgery for nasal septal and turbinate abnormalities.

STUDY DESIGN: Seventy-nine consecutive patients with headache and correctable anatomic nasal obstruction were seen at the study institution from March 1998 to May 2000. These patients were evaluated for changes in patient-relevant clinical outcomes measures after surgical correction of their anatomic abnormalities.

RESULTS: Seventy-one patients underwent surgical correction of nasal obstruction. More than half of these patients had contact points preoperatively. Statistically significant improvements were observed in the patient population with respect to 8 of the 10 clinical outcomes measures. Importantly, a decrease in the severity and frequency of headaches was noted after surgery, especially after the correction of contact points.

CONCLUSION: The surgical correction of the septum and turbinates resulted in predictable improvement in headache and a majority of other important outcomes measures.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Pain may improve after surgical correction of septal and turbinate abnormalities in a properly selected group.

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