Treatment of the Nasal Valve Stenosis

Dong Hak Jung, MD, Young-Jin Kim, MD, Won Seok Choi, MD, Chang Joon Han, MD
and Tae Young Jang, MD
Department of ORL-HNS, College of Medicine, InHa University, InHa Hospital, Sungnam, Korea

ABSTRACT

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Background and Objectives：Nasal obstruction is most often caused by the problems in the nasal valves which are located in the anterior part of the nose. Without careful evaluation of this part of the nose, the effort to improve nasal breathing may be fruitless. However, relatively little attention has been paid to the nasal valve problems. In the present study, we investigated the causes that underlie various problems in the nasal valve and looked for treatment procedures.Materials and Methods：A total of 20 patients who had nasal obstruction due to valve problems were studied retrospectively. Various surgical procedures such as spreader graft, alar batten graft, auricular composite graft and Z-plasty were performed for the patients.Results：All patients have experienced reduction in the nasal obstruction. Also, the widening of the valve area was observed.Conclusion：Surgery of the internal or external nasal valve is a key factor in functional rhinoplasty. It can significantly improve the nasal breathing of patients with nasal dysfunction leading to obstruction, insufficiency, and nasal valve collapse. With proper diagnosis of the problem, various surgical maneuvers can be used to repair a damaged valve and to correct breathing problems. (Korean J Otolaryngol 1999;42:727-33)

KEY WORDS：Nasal obstruction·Nasal valve.