# Pyriform Aperture Enlargement Through a Rhinoplasty Approach

## TL;DR

A new surgical technique using ultrasonic tools to enlarge the pyriform aperture improves nasal airflow and reduces breathing symptoms.

## Contribution

A novel rhinoplasty-based surgical approach using ultrasonic instrumentation to enlarge the pyriform aperture is introduced.

## Key findings

- Pyriform aperture width increased by 2.9 mm on average after surgery.
- NOSE scores dropped significantly from 69.4 preoperatively to 8.3 at six months postoperatively.
- The open rhinoplasty approach effectively modifies the pyriform aperture to improve nasal obstruction.

## Abstract

The pyriform aperture can limit airflow in some patients. In this study, the authors describe a new surgical technique to access and modify the pyriform aperture.

Describe the technique to measure the width of the pyriform aperture and surgically enlarge the pyriform aperture using ultrasonic instrumentation. Quantify improvement in nasal airway function with pyriform aperture size and Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scores.

The pyriform aperture was measured intraoperatively using calipers. Preoperative and postoperative NOSE scores were compared in a retrospective analysis to examine the effects of pyriform aperture enlargement on nasal breathing.

On average, pyriform aperture width was enlarged by 2.9 mm (P < .0001) and NOSE scores decreased from 69.4 to 8.3 at 6 months (P < .0001).

The pyriform aperture can be modified through an open rhinoplasty approach, and enlargement of the pyriform aperture can improve nasal obstruction symptoms.

(Therapeutic)