Nasal airway obstruction occurs from anatomic distortions as well as due to medical conditions such as chronic sinusitis or allergic rhinitis. When nasal airway obstruction persists despite control of the associated medical conditions, your surgeon will help you determine where the persistent location of nasal blockage occurs.
The internal nasal valve is a common location for obstruction to the nasal airway as it is often the narrowest portion of the nose. It is composed of three adjacent structures, the septum (middle of the nose), inferior turbinate (swellings on the lower side of the nose, and the lateral nasal side wall (the upper side of the nose. These areas create a triangular arrangement in which correction of any or all of these areas will lead to improvements in the airflow of the nasal passage.
Nasal airway remodeling with radiofrequency energy is offered for treatment of this narrowed portion of the airway (internal nasal valve). This procedure is available under local anesthesia, in the office. The recovery period typically involves discomfort for 1-2 days following the procedure and crusting of the treatment sites for up to 45 days. This crusting is treated with application of a medicated ointment. There is no external change or disfigurement to the nose as a consequence of this procedure. We ask that you avoid picking crust from the nose following this procedure as bleeding could occur as a result.