Nasal Valve Collapse

    /24-7PressRelease/ - NEW YORK, NY, December 02, 2007 - Nasal obstruction is one of the medical conditions that warrants rhinoplasty. Nasal obstruction can have many causes, which will fall into either the anatomic or non-anatomic categories. One such anatomic cause of nasal obstruction is nasal valve collapse, although this condition can also be caused by a rhinoplasty procedure that was not executed with care.

The nasal valve is the thinnest part of the nasal airway where air passes through. If you place both fingers on either side of your nose, you can feel the nasal valve area right where the nostrils crease inwards. Nasal valve collapse occurs when the nasal airway's narrowest part becomes weakened and interferes with the normal flow of air. Reconstructive rhinoplasty surgeons who are experienced in correcting nasal valve collapse use a variety of surgical techniques to restore the nasal valve and functional nasal breathing.

The most important factor in choosing a rhinoplasty technique to repair the nasal valve collapse is the actual cause of the collapse. Once the anatomic cause is pinpointed and assessed, a strategic rhinoplasty procedure can be designed and tailored to the patient's unique needs.

For some patients, genetic factors like a deviated septum or enlarged nasal bones may have caused or contributed to the collapse. Nasal valve collapse may also be age-related. In cases where a cosmetic surgeon was overly ambitious in trying to reduce the size of the nose, the removal of too much tissue may have caused the nasal valve collapse. If the restricted airway was caused by a prior rhinoplasty procedure, the nose may need to be augmented using a structural grafting technique, a process in which the surgeon' uses safe, FDA-approved materials to build up and then reshape the nasal structure.

Your cosmetic surgeon will address the functional issues caused by nasal valve collapse, but should also be concerned with the aesthetic aspects of reshaping. In searching for a doctor to repair nasal valve collapse, be prepared to research his or her background, experience, and past results. You definitely want to choose a surgeon who has performed thousands of rhinoplasty procedures and has extensive experience correcting nasal valve collapse and other obstruction problems.

For more information on nasal valve collapse and the rhinoplasty procedure, visit the website of New York-based cosmetic surgeon Dr. Howard T. Bellin, a respected physician who has performed more than 4,000 rhinoplasty procedures.

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