Study finds technique for nasal obstruction helps patients breathe easier

Z-plasty has been well-described for nasal valve stenosis, a condition in which the nasal cavity is too narrow and other cleft nasal deformities. However, there is little information in the medical literature on the use of Z-plasty for nasal obstruction so Dutton and his colleagues performed a retrospective chart review on 12 patients undergoing the intranasal Z-plasty procedure over a 24-month period. Most patients had been treated with prior medical and surgical therapies that were not effective.

Patients were asked pre- and post-operatively to assess their nasal obstruction on a scale of zero-to-ten, with ten being total nasal obstruction and zero being perfect nasal airflow. The mean preoperative score was 7.17. After the procedure, the mean postoperative score was 3.25. Eleven patients noted significant improvement in airflow on both sides with the remaining patient noting significant improvement on one side. None of the patients complained of the postoperative appearance of their noses.

All 12 patients had previously underwent some type of surgical procedure such as rhinoplasty, septoplasty, turbinoplasty or endoscopic sinus surgery, but none of the procedures improved their complaints of nasal obstruction.

“With open rhinoplasty, patients have to endure extended healing times, extensive tissue dissection, grafting and use of foreign bodies for valve suppression – all of which can lead to major complications and alter the physical appearance of the nose,” said Dutton. “The Z-plasty is relatively quick, painless, less invasive, and appears to be efficacious for nasal valve obstruction,” said Dutton.