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Effects of an external nasal dilator strip (ENDS) compared to xylometazolin nasal spray

  • Rhinology
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Abstract

Nasal blockage is a common complaint in Family Practice. Decongestive nosedrops are frequently employed therapeutic measures. Due to a considerable risk of abuse and side effects, alternatives are wanted. The purpose of this study was to elucidate to what extent ENDS might represent an alternative to decongestive nose sprays (DNS). The effects of DNS (xylometazolin) and ENDS (BreatheRight®) on subjective and objective nasal blockage were compared in 89 patients. Main outcome measures were recordings of nasal symptom scores on visual analogue scales (VAS), minimal cross-sectional areas (MCA) and nasal cavity volumes (NCV) as measured by acoustic rhinometry (AR), and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF). ENDS significantly increased the MCA and the NCV in the anterior 0.0–3.0 cm of the nose compared to DNS, but had no effect on MCA from 3.0 to 5.4 cm behind the nostrils. In contrast to DNS, ENDS had no effect on the posterior NCV. ENDS and DNS gave comparable increase in nasal inspiratory flow as measured by PNIF, and in the subject’s own experience of nasal obstruction. ENDS may represent an alternative to DNS as a measure against nasal blockage.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Sorlandet Hospital, 4604, Kristiansand, Norway

    L. R. Høyvoll, K. Lunde, Henrik S. Li, S. Dahle & S. K. Steinsvåg

  2. Center for Clinical Research, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021, Bergen, Norway

    T. Wentzel-Larsen

  3. Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway

    S. K. Steinsvåg

Authors
  1. L. R. Høyvoll
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  2. K. Lunde
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  3. Henrik S. Li
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  4. S. Dahle
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  5. T. Wentzel-Larsen
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  6. S. K. Steinsvåg
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Correspondence to S. K. Steinsvåg.

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Høyvoll, L.R., Lunde, K., Li, H.S. et al. Effects of an external nasal dilator strip (ENDS) compared to xylometazolin nasal spray. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 264, 1289–1294 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-007-0345-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-007-0345-6

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