Nasal obstruction as a complication of pharyngeal flap surgery.

Abstract

In a series of 85 patients who had pharyngeal flap surgery at Indiana University Medical Center, We found an unusually high incidence of hyponasality with total or near total nasal obstruction. The nasal obstruction was often occult, detected only after careful questioning and examination. Nasal obstruction was associated with peri-operative infection or micrognathia as in the Pierre Robin Anomalad. Flap division or port revision yielded a significant relief of the nasal obstruction and achievement of normal nasal balance.