CPAPtalk.com

As I mentioned in a post on planned pituitary surgery (entry is made through the nose), I am concerned about my surgeons reluctance to have me use my CPAP for a long period afterwards. His concern is apparently that nasal pressure is bad and may open either the wound in the back of the nose, or the one from the sphenoid sinus to the sella (where the pituitary is).

Someone suggested this mask for that period. I was wondering to what extent this mask could isolate the nasal cavity from high pressures, or from fluctuations in pressures. From the discussion it appears that some people can keep the nasal area isolated from the mouth cavity, and others not. It would seem to be that at worse the nasal pressure would be much less than the oral pressure (but I lack enough knowledge of anatomy to be sure on this).

It would also seem that if the nose was plugged, the pressure inside would equate to that in the oral cavity, and there would be less fluctuation in pressure in the nasal cavity. Also, if one used a ramp the pressure the pressures in the sinuses might rise slowly, and there would not be much of a pressure difference to create problems.

Does any one have any thoughts on these questions?

ProfessorEd

To be sure the nasal passages are isolated from the oral mask air flow you would have to use this mask long enough to learn reliably to block air flow from your nose. Using the nose plugs just stops the air flow but leaves the pressure in the nasal passages changing at the same rate as in the mouth.

How long that would take you is a guess, it took me several months.

I hope it all works out.