Nasal Valve Procedures - Collin County ENT

Whether you need a routine checkup or a bigger procedure, our team at Collin County Ear, Nose, and Throat is here to support your health.

We offer a range of treatments, including nasal valve procedures for patients suffering from nasal obstructions.

Nasal Valve Collapse

The nasal valve is commonly a problem area that causes obstruction in the nose. This passageway is where the air passes when you inhale, located in the front area of the nose. At the narrowest point, the nasal valve can be the main location of airway resistance, making it more difficult for the air to pass through the nose freely.

Since the normal structure of the nose is smallest at the nasal valve, any additional narrowing can have an impact on airflow. This airway can change depending on complications in the passageway, such as a sidewall collapse or swollen turbinate. When these problems occur, patients often complain about difficulty breathing through the nose since the airway is either partially or fully blocked.

A nasal valve collapse can fall into two categories:

Internal Nasal Valve Collapse: This is the most common and well-known type of collapse, affecting the lining between the respiratory epithelium and the skin.
External Nasal Valve Collapse: The columella, nasal rim, and nasal floor make up the external structure of the nasal valve.

Your visit with an ENT will include a diagnosis and identification of the part of the nasal valve that has narrowed. This problem can affect either one or both sides of the nose.

Symptoms of a Nasal Valve Collapse

Common symptoms of a nasal valve collapse include:

Difficult airflow when breathing through the nose
Nasal congestion
Nasal bleeding
Crusting near the nostrils
Partial or complete obstruction of the nasal passage
Snoring

If you are experiencing these symptoms, then it is a good time to schedule a consultation with an experienced ENT.

Nasal Valve Treatments

A common treatment for a collapsed nasal valve is to use surgery as a way to open the passage. A cartilage graft is harvested from another area (such as the back of the ear), then the grafted cartilage is used to reshape the septum area within the nose.

This surgery usually requires about a week of recovery time, and the outlook is fairly good for most people. Patients often find that their nasal symptoms are either alleviated completely or reduced after the surgery.

Other less-invasive alternatives include insertion of a latera implant and vivaer treatment of the nasal valve. The latera implant is a small absorbable implant inserted along the nasal sidewall to support the cartilage of the nose. Aerin Vivaer treatment uses radiofrequency to remodel soft-tissue in the nasal valve.

Appointment with an ENT

Are you located near Dallas or Collin County? Then you are invited to schedule an appointment with our experienced team at Collin County Ear, Nose, and Throat. We have two offices nearby, in Frisco and Plano, TX. Use our online form to request an appointment, or call our office at (972) 596-4005.