Treating Internal Nasal Valve Collapse: The Intranasal Valvuloplasty

Abstract

Introduction: Nasal obstruction requires a careful and thorough examination of the nose and nasal cavity. Particular interest should be placed on the internal and external nasal valves and their collapse. We discuss a simple yet effective technique to resolve obstruction of the internal nasal valve, called the intranasal valvuloplasty/valvulopexy. These procedures can be of benefit for valvular obstruction, especially postrhinoplasty. Objective: Nasal obstruction as sequela to aesthetic surgery may occur more often than recognized. The purpose of this paper is to explain a relatively simple yet expedient technique to address nasal valvular collapse. Method: Retrospective review of patients treated with the intranasal valvuloplasty/valvulopexy technique in the outpatient setting. Results: We reviewed our last 6 patients with the technique our senior author has been performing for 20 years. The patients noted 80–100% subjective improvement and we noted comparable objective improvement. Of the 6 patients, 50% were done bilaterally and 33% were combined with either a septoplasty or with a septorhinoplasty. Of these, 66.7% had a history of prior nasal surgery, usually rhinoplasty. Discussion: The valvuloplasty is an effective and straightforward approach to nasal valve collapse either alone or in conjunction with other rhinological procedures.