title: Reconstruction of the internal nasal valve: modified splay graft technique with endonasal approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the reliability and feasibility of modified splay graft technique in the surgical correction of internal nasal valve (INV) incompetence and nasal valve collapse.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven patients operated with the diagnosis of INV incompetence were followed for 6 to 30 months after operation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2004 and 2007, 11 patients with the complaint of shortness of breath, and in whom nasal valve incompetence was detected, and who were positive for Cottle and modified Cottle tests were operated. In the operation, splay graft was used endonasally with the technique we describe. Before and at least 6 months after the operation, patients were evaluated with acoustic rhinometry, linear symptom scale, and nasal obstruction symptom evaluation scale in addition to endoscopic examination, and the results were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 10 of 11 (90.9%) patients operated with modified splay graft technique, marked improvement was observed in INV region with endoscopic examination and acoustic rhinometry. In the evaluation made with linear symptom scale and nasal obstruction symptom evaluation scale, partial improvement was seen in nasal obstruction in one patient and marked improvement in 10 patients. No complications developed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Modified splay technique is an effective graft method that can be easily applied and has minimal complications and morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Ministry of Health Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. drahmetislam@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.forename: Necmi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Arslan
authors.forename: Sevim Aslan
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Felek
authors.forename: Hatice
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Celik
authors.forename: Munir
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Demirci
authors.forename: Haldun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Oguz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002356:Cartilage / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods