Nasal Valve Collapse 2 months post op? Any hope for it improving with swelling or will it only get worse/ require revision?!

Question

I am almost 2 months post op (7 weeks) and am getting barely any air through my right nostril. Inside I can clearly see a very small airway that closes even more when I inhale. I also see the outside slightly cave in when I inhale. I never had breathing problems prior to surgery so this is very frustrating and devastating if I need revision. Will the collapse continue to get worse as swelling goes down and restrict my breathing more? OR is there any hope the problem will get better with time?

Sirius K. Yoo, MD · Answer

You may experience improvement in your breathing as the swelling abates.  The valve collapse may also subside, but there's no way to know for sure.  Nasal valve collapse is due to both weak wall as well as narrow airway.  The more narrow the airway, the more negative pressure that builds up inside that side of the nose when you inhale and thus the more pull on the lateral wall.  This is the "weak wall versus the thin straw" concept.  If you try to suck a milkshake through a thin straw, the walls of the straw collapse.  If you take a straw of equal strength, but wider diameter, you can drink the milkshake without the walls collapsing.  So, if the swelling inside your nose subsides enough, you will not experience wall collapse.  To what degree your swelling will still improve, I can't say, but I wish you the best!

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Knowing what exactly was done in during your surgery would certainly be helfpul.  At this point it is likely swelling. You might want to discuss this with your surgeon.

Jules Walters, MD · Answer

You are still early in your healing phase.  Pre and post op pictures would help to give a better opinion on what exactly is happening.

Nasal Valve Collapse 2 months post op? Any hope for it improving with swelling or will it only get worse/ require revision?!

Answers (3)