Endonasal Triangular Technique for nasal valve rhinoplasty: a ten year review.

[INTRODUCTION] The nasal valve is the main regulator of airflow in the nose. Consequently, the collapse of the nasal valve has a significant impact on nasal obstruction and hence quality-of-life of patients. Several nasal valve rhinoplasty techniques are being used, from cartilage grafts to endonasal resection of the upper lateral cartilage. We describe a new endonasal approach to nasal valve rhinoplasty, the Triangular Technique, and assess its efficacy and complication rate over ten years.

[MATERIALS AND METHODS] A retrospective study of patients who underwent nasal valve rhinoplasty at three regional hospitals from Jan 2004 to May 2014 was conducted. Subjective reports were used to assess the improvement of nasal obstruction. 24 patients were included.

[RESULTS] 3 months postoperatively, 19 patients reported improvement in nasal obstruction. 4 patients required revision surgery. 2 of these 4 patients had substantial symptom resolution post revision surgery. 10 patients were followed up for more than 5 years (range: 5.8 to 10.3 years), 9 of who reported continued satisfaction and none or minimal nasal obstruction after nasal valve rhinoplasty compared to before surgery. There were no reported complications.

[DISCUSSION] The Triangular Technique is a straightforward endonasal technique to address collapsed nasal valves with minimal associated co-morbidities.