Nasal Valve obstruction

The nasal valve is the area of the nose surrounding each nostril. You can feel the nasal valve by placing your fingers where the nostrils crease inward. The nasal valve is thin, and without the correct amount of support, it may collapse inward when a person breathes in through the nose. In some people, one or both nasal valves may be permanently collapsed inwards. Sometimes, this is very apparent; but in other people the collapse may be subtle. The nasal valve is normally the narrowest portion of the nasal airway. When there is nasal valve collapse or nasal valve obstruction, the airway is further narrowed, limiting the amount of air flow.

Breathe right nasal strips are designed to splint open the nasal valve, preventing collapse. These strips can be very helpful at night for people with nasal valve obstruction, but most people do not want to wear these strips during the day. Dr. Michael Friedman has developed a technique of Nasal Valve Suspension to correct the problem of nasal valve obstruction.

Dr. Michael Friedman and Dr. TK Venkatasen are physicians who specialize in the medical and surgical treatment of the ears, nose, throat and other areas of the head and neck. They have treated thousands of patients at their sinus surgery center in Chicago at the Advanced Center for Specialty Care. If you are concerned that nasal valve obstruction may be leading to breathing problems or symptoms of sinus congestions, the first step is to make an appointment for evaluation. After a complete examination, the doctors will determine what type of treatment is appropriate.

Nasal valve suspension is a minimally invasive procedure and may be performed as an outpatient surgery, depending on the patient’s medical history and whether additional procedures are necessary at the same time. For this procedure, a tiny incision is made below each eye. A suture is anchored to the bone below they eye and used to support the nasal valve, preventing its collapse. This procedure does not alter the shape of the nose (it does restore the shape of the nose in patients with permanent valve collapse) and normally, no visible scars remain.