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BackTable / ENT / Podcast / Episode #246

How Nasal Obstruction Impacts Sleep Apnea Treatment

with Dr. Scott McCusker

If your patients still struggle with sleep apnea after other treatments, it might be time to look at the nose. In this episode of the BackTable ENT Podcast, otolaryngologist and facial plastic surgeon Dr. Scott McCusker joins hosts Dr. Gopi Shah and Dr. Ashley Agan to discuss the impact of nasal airway obstruction on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

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How Nasal Obstruction Impacts Sleep Apnea Treatment with Dr. Scott McCusker on the BackTable ENT Podcast
Ep 246 How Nasal Obstruction Impacts Sleep Apnea Treatment with Dr. Scott McCusker
00:00 / 01:04

BackTable, LLC (Producer). (2025, November 4). Ep. 246 – How Nasal Obstruction Impacts Sleep Apnea Treatment [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from https://www.backtable.com

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Podcast Contributors

Dr. Ashley Agan on the BackTable ENT Podcast

Dr. Ashley Agan is an otolaryngologist in Dallas, TX.

Dr. Scott McCusker on the BackTable ENT Podcast

Dr. Scott McCusker is an otolaryngologist at Mercy Medical Group-Dignity Health in Davis, California.

Dr. Gopi Shah on the BackTable ENT Podcast

Dr. Gopi Shah is a pediatric otolaryngologist and the co-host of BackTable ENT.

Synopsis

Dr. McCusker shares insights on his practice, evaluation techniques for nasal obstruction, and the use of minimally invasive procedures like VivAer. The conversation covers the importance of the septal swell bodies, the effectiveness of nasal treatments on OSA outcomes, and patient management strategies, including when to combine different surgical interventions. The episode also touches on post-operative care and the potential role of new technologies and treatments in enhancing patient outcomes.

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction
03:10 - Evolution of Sleep Apnea Treatments
04:43 - Nasal Obstruction and Sleep Apnea
06:06 - Patient Evaluation and Diagnostic Techniques
07:54 - Surgical and Non-Surgical Treatment Options
09:56 - Challenges and Considerations in Nasal Surgery
17:10 - Innovations in Nasal Obstruction Treatments
25:49 - OSA Patient Workup and Treatment Planning
27:55 - Financial Aspects of DISE and VivAer
30:35 - Treating Chronic Rhinitis
34:48 - Nasal Surgery and Sleep Apnea Outcomes
41:20 - Post-Operative Care and Complications
43:36 - Weight Loss and Sleep Apnea
46:08 - Final Thoughts

Resources

The Materials available on BackTable are for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for the professional judgment of a healthcare professional in diagnosing and treating patients. The opinions expressed by participants of the BackTable Podcast belong solely to the participants, and do not necessarily reflect the views of BackTable.

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