Nasal Valve Collapse Surgery?

Hi. Sorry to hear about your functional problem. If your internal nasal valve has collapsed, you'll need cartilage grafts called spreader grafts to fix it. If your external nasal valve collapses when you breath in you'll need lateral crural strut grafts. Either way, you'll need a revisionary surgery. Standard time to wait in between nasal surgeries is a year to allow swelling to resolve, scarring to mature and tissues to soften. Hope this helps and best of luck! Dr Shifrin

There are two nasal valves, the internal and external.  Internal valve collapse typically requires a spreader graft to restore the valve angle.  This involves disassembly of the nasal dorsum and insertion alongside the septum.  Another solution can involve advancement of the medial edge of the upper lateral cartilage (a spreader flap).  Both of these maneuvers require an extensive amount of surgery relative to the original rhinoplasty.  In the case of external valve collapse, simpler approaches such as a small rim graft can often alleviate the problem.  I recommend that you see an experienced surgeon to discuss your problem, get an accurate diagnosis, and figure out the optimal timing for your correction.  Unfortunately, no one can guarantee that any surgery will be successful, but at least someone with experience in this area will give you the best shot at success.

Hi O,

Nasal valve collapse surgery should be less involved that your original rhinoplasty.  Grafts are used to open the valve.  In some patients, the inferior nasal turbinate can be reduced with radiofrequency (Somnoplasty) in a non-surgical in office treatment that can improve breathing and open the nasal valve.  The surgery or treatment may be performed at any time now that you are 3 months post-rhinoplasty.  Good luck and be well.

Dr. P

Opening the nasal valve after prior rhinoplasty involves recognizing what level of the nasal valve is involved and what caused the valve collapse.  Typically, if the area of collapse is diagnosed properly, and if the appropriate technique/grafts are used to open the valve, then nasal valve reconstruction in the hands of an experienced revision rhinoplasty surgeon is very straightforward and has a very low risk of needing further surgery.  Good luck!

Nasal valve surgery can be tricky. However if done by a well trained surgeon, it can be your last rhinoplasty. I notice that you are in Philadelphia. Dr Daniel Becker is excellent with nasal valve surgery. You should certainly see him.                                                      Regards                                                                                                                             Dr. J                                                                                                                        Disclaimer: This answer is not intended to give a medical opinion and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.