Nasopharyngeal drainage with a new device: preliminary results of nasal spirometry

The nasopharyngeal cavity is the crucial point of the upper airway; its obstruction is associated with allergic rhinitis, upper airway respiratory infections and is the basis of middle ear diseases. The purpose of this preliminary study was to evaluate the ability of a new device to empty the nasopharyngeal cavity from mucus and restore free nasal breathing. The present study evaluated the effects of nasopharyngeal drainage using a new device (Atomix wave (R)) on nasal expiratory flow rates in 20 volunteers (12 males and 8 females, mean age 44 +/- 18 years) with nasal obstruction. Nasal spirometry was performed before and after nasopharyngeal cavity treatment with the new device. The nasal maximum mid-expiratory flow rate (n-MEF 25/75) was significantly increased after treatment (baseline value 0.92 +/- 0.43 and 0.67 +/- 0.33; post-treatment 1.31 +/- 0.56 and 1.25 +/- 0.44; p less than 0.05). The new device proved effective in clearing the nasopharyngeal cavity.