Nose Surgery for
Nasal Airway Obstruction
Serving Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach, & Palos Verdes, California
Nasal obstruction may be caused by an anatomic problem. These anatomic problems include turbinate hypertrophy, septal deviation, internal nasal valve collapse, external nasal valve collapse, or a nasal mass. In these cases the treatment may require nose surgery.
Turbinate hypertrophy is the swelling of the inferior nasal turbinate. The turbinate is a long bony shelf on the lateral nasal wall covered with nasal mucosa. Allergic and non-allergic rhinitis may cause the turbinate to swell. Medical treatment with nasal sprays may fix the problem, however, in some case the turbinate remains enlarged and requires turbinate reduction surgery. The turbinate may also be enlarged in cases of a deviated septum. Turbinate reduction may be indicated in these cases as well.
Septal deviation may be congenital or the result of trauma. The nasal septum is the structure that separates the two nostrils. If this structure is deviated the patient may have difficulty breathing through the nose. To correct this problem a septoplasty may be performed to remove the deviated part of the septum. In some cases the deviation is in an area close to the dorsum of the nose or base of the nose. These cases may require a more complex procedure to correct the breathing disorder.
Internal nasal valve collapse results from collapse of the upper lateral cartilages of the nose. These cartilages are at the level of the middle third of the nose. This may result from trauma, previous Rhinoplasty surgery, or may be congenital. The treatment of internal valve collapse is the placement of cartilage spreader grafts. These grafts help to open up the internal valve and to provide improved breathing.
External nasal valve collapse occurs when the nostrils collapse. This may be congenital or may be caused by previous Rhinoplasty. The treatment requires cartilage grafting to the area to support the nostrils.
Nasal masses may cause obstruction. These masses may be benign or malignant. Proper diagnosis and removal is required for treatment.
Nasal airway obstruction may also be caused by a medical problem that does not require surgery. Rhinitis is the irritation or inflammation of the internal areas of the nose. The causes of rhinitis may be allergic or non-allergic. Allergic rhinitis occurs when an allergen causes an inflammatory response inside the nose. The symptoms include clear nasal drainage and nasal congestion. Non-allergic rhinitis has numerous causes such as the common cold or vasomotor rhinitis. In cases of both allergic and non-allergic rhinitis the treatment may consist of different types of nasal sprays.
At Bray Plastic Surgery we specialize in treating nasal breathing disorders. In most cases insurance is accepted and will cover these procedures. Please contact our Los Angeles rhinoplasty surgeon today for a consultation.
