Objective: To evaluate the relationship between types of nasal septal deviation and other oropharyngeal structures that affected the upper airway respiratory tract.

Methods: A total of 120 participants were included in the study: 100 patients with nasal septal deviation and 20 healthy people who had no nasal septal deviation (control group). The oropharyngeal examination findings, modified Mallampati index, retroglossal space, tonsil size, and pharyngeal space were recorded for each patient. The types of nasal septal deviation were compared in terms of the aforementioned parameters.

Results: The types of nasal septal deviation were compared in terms of the Mallampati score, retroglossal space, tonsil grade, and pharyngeal space. Significant differences were present between the Mallampati scores and retroglossal space values and types of nasal septal deviation (p=0.001, p=0.001). Types of nasal septal deviation were divided into five groups as follows: Group 1, septal tilt; group 2, C-shaped anteroposterior deviation; group 3, C-shaped cephalocaudal deformity; group 4, S-shaped anteroposterior deformity; group 5, S-shaped cephalocaudal deformity. Group 6 was the control group. Groups 1, 2, and 4 had higher Mallampati scores than group 6. Group 3 and 5 did not differ compared to group 6. Groups 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 had higher retroglossal space values than group 6. There was no difference between the other groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Tonsil grade and pharyngeal space values did not differ significantly between all groups (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Airway passage changes depend on various factors from childhood to adulthood. The change in airway resistance due to nasal septum deviation affects the airflow and oropharyngeal anatomical structures. In our study, it was observed that nasal septum deviation affected the Mallampati scores and retroglossal space values.