Minimally invasive nasal valve repair: An evaluation using the NOSE scale.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of a new surgical procedure to correct symptoms of nasal obstruction secondary to internal nasal valve narrowing.


METHODS
Consecutive case series.


METHODS
Tertiary care multispecialty clinic.


METHODS
Patients with symptoms of nasal obstruction for at least 1 year, a closed but otherwise anatomically normal nasal valve, and resolution of symptoms with lateralization of the upper lateral cartilage.


METHODS
Surgical correction of nasal valve stenosis by fibrocartilaginous resection and imbrication at the caudal upper lateral cartilage.


METHODS
Validated Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale score.


RESULTS
Highly significant improvement was seen in nasal obstruction symptoms after the procedure. A significant correlation between the reported improvement and the preoperative NOSE scale scores was demonstrated (P < .01). There was poor correlation of symptomatic improvement with acoustic rhinometry measurements.


CONCLUSIONS
The described surgical repair is highly successful in relieving symptoms of nasal obstruction due to nasal valve stenosis in this selected group of patients. Patients with more severe symptoms of obstruction derive the greatest benefit.
Department of Otolaryngology, Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA 02492, USA. Robert.w.dolan@lahey.org
Robert W
RW
Dolan
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D055171:Nasal Cartilages / Q000601:surgery*; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000601:surgery*; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D023842:Rhinometry, Acoustic; D012720:Severity of Illness Index