Facial Plast Surg 2013; 29(02): 093-098
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1341591
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Evaluation of the Intranasal Flow Field through Computational Fluid Dynamics

Thomas Hildebrandt
1   Private practice of otorhinolaryngology in association with the Limmatklinik, Zurich, Switzerland
,
Leonid Goubergrits
2   Biofluid Mechanics Lab, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Charité, Berlin, Germany
,
Werner Johannes Heppt
3   Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Staedtisches Klinikum Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe, Germany
,
Stephan Bessler
4   Private practice of otorhinolaryngology, Zurich, Switzerland
,
Stefan Zachow
5   Department of Scientific Visualization and Data Analysis, Zuse Institute, Berlin, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
05 April 2013 (online)

Abstract

A reliable and comprehensive assessment of nasal breathing is problematic and still a common issue in rhinosurgery. Impairments of nasal breathing need an objective approach. In this regard, currently rhinomanometry is the only standard diagnostic tool available but has various limitations. However, in the last decade, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has become a promising method in facing the challenge of qualifying nasal breathing. This article presents use of CFD with a symptom-free subject and a symptomatic patient. Thereby, certain flow field features and changes before and after surgery were investigated. Moreover, the study outlines suggestions for concrete rhinologic CFD applications.

 
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