Rhinoplastic techniques for the nasal valve for the patient with sleep apnea

Abstract

Treatment of nasal blockage is necessary to facilitate therapy of obstructive sleep apnea and improve continuous positive airway pressure tolerance. The importance of the nasal valve in controlling inspiratory airflow has been well documented. Defining the nasal valve region and correlating physiology with its anatomic and surgical findings can be confusing. Reliable interpretation of the different types of nasal valve dysfunction can be correlated with effective surgical repair to reduce nasal airway resistance. A simplified approach to standardizing surgical treatment of nasal valve problems is presented.