The nasal valve is an important structure that allows air to pass from your nose into your lungs. When this collapses, breathing becomes difficult and causes congestion, snoring, and poor sleep quality.
Otolaryngologists specialize in treating both parts of a nasal valve – internal and external – using various surgical techniques.
1. Balloon Sinuplasty
Nasal valve collapse or deformity is a widespread condition, affecting millions of people worldwide. While its cause can differ depending on individual circumstances, often due to trauma, birth defects or rhinoplasty surgery resulting in nasal septum deviation, congestion, enlarged turbinates or sinus masses being to blame for this problem. Nonsurgical options like nasal dilators can improve breathing while not actually treating its root cause.
Over the last decade, over 375,000 patients have undergone balloon sinuplasty and reported remarkable improvements to their chronic sinus symptoms and quality of life years after the procedure. Because it involves no incisions or cutting of bone or tissue, reduced risk of infection, less bleeding/bruising, and quicker recovery times are achieved as a result.
Balloon sinuplasty procedures are conducted in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia or mild sedation. A thin guide wire is inserted through the nostrils into each sinus opening and opened similar to how cardiovascular surgeons unclog clogged arteries during angioplasty procedures. A soft catheter with an inflatable balloon at its end is then inserted into each sinus opening, and expanded, creating the original opening which became obstructed over time.
Leading ear, nose and throat doctors have demonstrated this technique’s safety and efficacy; no serious adverse events were associated with its use; patients experienced quick recovery times without needing general anesthesia or extensive downtimes such as those seen during traditional sinus surgery procedures.
As much as the term “nasal valve collapse” conjures images of nonsurgical solutions like dilators, this surgical condition calls for more comprehensive therapy than that. Left untreated, weakness in the cartilage foundation of nasal sidewalls could worsen and block normal airflow to one or both sides of the nose, eventually resulting in collapse of one or both sides. As well as balloon sinuplasty and other sinus surgery procedures can help repair collapsed cartilage and reopen noses.
2. Latera Implant
The LATERA implant is a minimally invasive solution for nasal valve collapse (internal nasal valve stenosis). Inserted through a small incision in the lateral nasal wall, this implant made of absorbable material increases airflow to alleviate symptoms associated with nasal obstruction and alleviate symptoms associated with congestion. Under local anesthesia, patients experience minimal discomfort following their procedure – however mild bruising, irritation, awareness of implant and other side effects may occur; these side effects should subside soon enough.
Trauma to a nasal valve can result in numerous issues, including congestion, breathing difficulties while exercising, chronic mouth breathing (leading to dry mouth and dental issues), snoring, sinus infections and difficulty sleeping. Sometimes the situation worsens without treatment being provided promptly.
Treatment options for nasal valve stenosis typically include medications like allergy medicines and over-the-counter Breathe Right strips; or surgical intervention to reshape and correct structural anomalies within the nose, including cartilage reconstruction to enhance strength or septoplasty to correct an uneven septum.
Unfortunately, these treatments do not address the cause of weak or collapsed lateral nasal walls; furthermore, they don’t take into account that this condition may worsen over time.
An alternative option to incision surgery may be Vivaer, a minimally invasive radiofrequency-based in-office procedure that strengthens and reshapes the lateral nasal wall without incisions. This surgery may help those experiencing static collapse due to scarring from previous surgeries, injuries or simply age – it provides strength while simultaneously improving its structure.
Similar to the Cottle Maneuver, this test can be used to diagnose nasal valve collapse and whether treatment is required. Though simple and quick, this exam typically isn’t included as part of a general ear, nose, and throat exam since it requires specific techniques and instruments – yet its inclusion could uncover potentially serious issues that would otherwise go undetected through other means.
3. Septoplasty
Surgical repair is often the preferred approach to treating nasal valve collapse, as it strengthens and stabilizes its structure. Your surgeon may use a cartilage graft to widen the middle section of your nose to allow more airflow through its nostrils; additionally, connecting its lower portion with its upper section improves overall stability of the nose.
The septum is the bone and cartilage wall separating your nostrils, and having a deviated one may contribute or worsen symptoms of nasal valve collapse. A septoplasty procedure can be performed to correct such deviated septums; often used for trauma related cases of nasal valve collapse.
Your ENT doctor will use general or local anesthesia to numb the area around your nose before performing the septoplasty procedure. After making an incision in your nose and lifting off the protective membrane surrounding the septum to reshape bone and cartilage structures beneath, often times excess cartilage will need to be removed for optimal results. Finally, this membrane will be repositioned over your septum for ultimate effect.
Your ENT doctor may use a 0-degree Hopkins rod endoscope to observe your nasal cavity or septum, particularly if there is significant septal deviation or perforation of the septum. Running mattress sutures (quilting) may also be employed post-surgery to close dead space and avoid hemorrhaging post-op.
After your septoplasty, an ENT doctor may apply soft packing and splints to hold tissue in place while it heals, promote proper healing, and decrease scar tissue formation. Splints typically come off within a week while soft packing typically disappears over time.
Vivaer is an innovative technology that employs radiofrequency energy to reshape nasal cartilages without altering their outward appearance. For this procedure, an ENT doctor will insert a small hand-held stylus similar to a pen into each nostril of your nose; this stylus emits radiofrequency energy which gently reshapes tissues surrounding your nasal valve, opening it up more for air flow through.
4. Vivaer
Lacking proper nasal valve control can have an enormous impact on one’s ability to breathe properly, leading to chronic congestion, snoring, breathing difficulties during exercise and more. Furthermore, it may result in sinus infections, dry mouth and other health problems if left untreated; there are various methods available from home remedies like nasal dilators and sprays through to surgical methods with lengthy recovery times that could prove discomforting or require hospitalisation for treatment.
Thankfully, Vivaer nasal airway remodeling offers a safe and non-invasive solution to help alleviate nasal valve collapse: this minimally invasive procedure uses radiofrequency energy to strengthen and reshape tissue that’s blocking airway passageways – all done quickly and painlessly in our office! Even those who have had previous surgeries but still experience difficulty breathing may benefit from it.
Vivaer Implant is a small device inserted into the lateral wall of the nose to support and open up its nasal valve, usually within 15 minutes and without cutting, incisions or skin piercing. Additionally, this can even assist people with weak nasal septa who suffer from nasal valve collapse due to weak septum support.
Patients treated with Vivaer typically report improved airflow and quality of life after treatment with this device, according to clinical studies. Studies have also proven its safety and effectiveness for those experiencing nasal valve collapse caused by injury or age.
If you’re suffering from nasal blockage and have an insufficient or collapsed nasal valve, contact Del Rey MD immediately for a consultation appointment. Our board-certified ear, nose, and throat doctors offer effective relief to Los Angeles area patients as well as surrounding regions. Call or book online and begin the healing process – we look forward to meeting you!
