Endonasal Repositioning of the Upper Lateral Cartilage and the Internal Nasal Valve

Abstract

Objectives: Collapse of the upper lateral cartilage (ULC) is associated with narrowing of the internal nasal valve (INV). The goal of this article is to describe a novel procedure that repositions the ULC, opening the INV, without implants, grafts, or permanent sutures. Methods: Before-and-after digital photographs of patients with ULC and INV collapse who underwent endonasal ULC repositioning were analyzed. The surgical procedure consists of an intercartilaginous incision and the creation of a surface that permits scarification upon cartilage reapproximation. Precise placement of a support apparatus permits the ULC to heal into a position in direct contact with the lower lateral cartilage, thus dilating the INV. The percentage of collapse of the ULC (PCULC), determined by ULC shape measurements made with computer-aided design software, was compared on before- and-after photographs by use of Student's t-test (paired). Results: The study included 52 patients (79 procedures) followed for 1 to 18 months after surgery in the period 2007 to 2009. There were no complications or revision surgeries. The preoperative mean PCULC was 58.6%. The postoperative mean PCULC was 5.7% (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Repair of the INV via ULC repositioning is a simple, relatively safe procedure that produces a statistically significant improvement in the PCULC. The functional change at the INV may be inferred from the ULC shape, but further prospective clinical studies are required.