The unified airway.

The upper and lower respiratory tracts function as an interdependent physiologic mechanism, and stimuli that trigger pathophysiologic changes in one portion of the airway can provoke similar changes throughout the airway. The unified airway model acknowledges these shared airway features, suggesting the importance of comprehensive evaluation of patients with any respiratory symptoms. Two areas are of specific importance to the septoplasty/rhinoplasty surgeon: (1) preoperative evaluation of the patient with rhinitis undergoing nasal surgery, and (2) perioperative and postoperative management of the nose. Management of potential cardiopulmonary risks among susceptible individuals is vital in the perioperative management of these patients.