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Nasal Valve Insufficiency. Breathing Problems 2 Years Post-Op, What Should I Do? (photo)

asked 1 year ago by Dina112 in Israel (middle east)
Latest answer by Sam Naficy, MD
Question viewed 825 times
Tags: 10 years post-op, breathing problems, collapse, narrow, obstructed, reversal

Hey. I have had a rhinoplasty 13 years ago, and didn't suffer for any sugnificant breathing problems untill two years ago. One day, I felt that the lateral wall is collapsing, and from than on I'm suffering from dianmic nasal obstruction in the right side. It's possible to see that there was an oversection. The nose is too narrow. I have attached a sinus x-ray in which it's possible to see that the right side is too narrow. Is it reversible? Thank you for answering me.

6 answers to Nasal Valve Insufficiency. Breathing Problems 2 Years Post-Op, What Should I Do? (photo)

+1

Nasal valve collapse

Collapse of the nasal valves is typically due to cartilage (as opposed to bone) and would not show on x-rays - typically cartilage grafting is needed for correction
Sam Naficy, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

seattleface.com

+1

Nasal valve insufficiency repair

Having nasal obstruction on the one side of your nose can be repaired with spreader grafts taken from the septal cartilage. It is also important to make sure that your septum is straight and your turbinates are well lateralized. Make sure your allergies are under good control. Spreader grafts will make the collapsed side wider, straighter and more stiff. You may need bilateral spreader grafts since there was resection on both sides. Plain x-rays will not help with this analysis. more
William Portuese, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

+1

Nasal Valve Narrowing

Nasal valve narrowing may occur after a reduction rhinoplasty. Breathing can be improved with placement of cartilage grafts (called spreader grafts) which open that narrow valve. Depending on size and placement, both functional and cosmetic improvement  can be achieved. 
Richard W. Fleming, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Nasal valve surgery

Sometimes with  rhinoplasty surgery the valve can collapse. This can often be treated with cartilage grafts.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Lateral wall collapse after rhinoplasty is technically called a narrow nasal valve

Nasal valve narrowing after rhinoplasty is all too common. This comes from weakening of the cartilage attachments, weakening of the cartilage as well as narrowing from reducing a large nasal hump. This can often be restored by the use of grafts called spreader grafts, or sometimes other surgical maneuvers. I actually use spreader grafts in over 90% of my primary rhinoplasties to reduce the chance of this happening in the first place. This really cannot be diagnosed by a standard... more
Steven J. Pearlman, MD

New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.mdface.com

+1

Nasal valve collapse

A common cause of nasal valve collapse is surgery.  If the nasal valves are not supported or respected, nasal valve insufficiency may occur.  This typically is noticed soon after the procedure, but can take longer.  Cartilage resorption or abnormal scarring may also lead to nasal valve issues.  Plain X-rays are not a good tool to evaluate the nasal valve as cartilage does not appear on X-ray.  Nasal valve collapse is diagnosed by exam.  You may need a... more
Etai Funk, MD

Houston Facial Plastic Surgeon

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