Evaluation of a new procedure for nasal alar rim and valve collapse: Nasal alar rim reconstruction

Abstract

OBJECTIVE A new operative technique to improve nasal valve collapse by placement of cartilage struts along the alar rim was compared with the standard nasal valve cartilage graft (NVG) technique. METHODS AND PATIENTS A retrospective study of consecutive patients with nasal valve collapse was performed at Stanford University Medical Center. Seventy-nine patients with nasal valve collapse underwent reconstruction with either the classic NVG technique or a newly developed nasal alar rim reconstructive (NARR) procedure. The mean age of the NARR group was 50.13 years (SD ± 9.40), with 36 men (92.3%) and 3 women (7.7%). The mean age of the NVG group was 52.14 years (SD ± 10.83), with 36 men (90%) and 4 women (10%). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES These included functional and subjective evaluation of nasal valve collapse. RESULTS Forty patients (50.6%) underwent the NVG technique, and 39 (49.4%) received the NARR procedure. The NVG technique revealed 0% worsened, 15.0% (6/40) unchanged, 25.0% (10/40) improved, and 60% (24/40) free of obstruction. The NARR procedure revealed 2.6% worsened, 2.6% unchanged, 7.7% improved, and 87.1% free of obstruction. CONCLUSIONS Nasal alar cartilage struts placed along the caudal alar rim offers sufficient support to the alar rim and valve area. This procedure appears to be as effective as currently available reconstructive alternatives, while being technically uncomplicated.