Does Nasal Surgery Improve OSA in Patients with Nasal Obstruction and OSA? A Meta-analysis

Objective: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine if isolated nasal surgery in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and nasal airway obstruction improves obstructive sleep apnea.

Data sources: Computerized searches were performed in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library through October 2014. Manual searches and subject matter expert input was also solicited.

Review methods: A search protocol was defined a priori, and 2 independent investigators performed the data extraction, focusing on relevant data, including quality data polysomnography data, and taking note of methodological quality and risk for bias.

Results: The 10 studies meeting criteria included a total of 320 patients. There were 2 randomized controlled trials, 7 prospective studies, and 1 retrospective study. There was a significant improvement in the pooled results of both Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS; difference 3.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.64, 6.23]) and Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI; 11.06, 95% CI [5.92, 16.19]) scores with isolated nasal surgery. There was no significant improvement in the Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) in the random effects model (4.83, 95% CI [-1.6, 11.62]).

Conclusions: The pooled results showed that isolated nasal surgery for patients with nasal obstruction and obstructive sleep apnea improved some sleep parameters, as shown by significant improvements in ESS and RDI, but had no significant improvements on AHI. Future controlled studies with larger groups are needed to confirm the benefits of isolated nasal surgery in this patient population.