ABSTRACT

We present a new method of treatment for nasal valve dysfunction caused by insufficiency or stenosis in a patient who refused open septum revision despite a significant degree of septum deviation. The Anterior Spreader Flap (ASF) technique was suggested as an alternative to open nasal septum revision and was performed under local anesthesia. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tests were performed preand post-operatively and our patient was asked to complete a self-assessment using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for nasal breathing (0 = free nasal breathing, 10 = complete nasal blockage) before and 12 months after surgery. The ASF is a minimally invasive endonasal procedure in which the caudal edge of the upper lateral cartilage is dissected from the septum, and folded inwards and fixed. The ASF allows for less airflow resistance and more free space. CFD techniques revealed a reduction in local pressure based on extended space. In addition, VAS scores improved from 9 to 2 points (right side) and from 8 to 2 points (left side). On the basis of these findings, the ASF technique can be considered a safe, minimally invasive spreader flap technique. It can easily be combined with other nasal surgical techniques, as it is necessary in most cases. In selected cases, the ASF may be performed as a single procedure in patients with nasal valve dysfunction caused by septum deviation as an alternative to open septum revision.

Keywords:Spreader Flap, Anterior Spreader Flap, Nasal Valve, Nasal Valve Dysfunction

1. Introduction

Obstruction of nasal breathing is commonly multifactorial and can be caused by impairment of airflow at distinct narrow anatomic sites. Psychological reasons may also play a role. Modern diagnostic techniques have revealed the importance of the inner and outer nasal valves for optimal nasal airflow. Approximately 80% of inspiratory airway resistance is generated in the anterior part of the nose [1] . Narrowing between the septum and the extreme caudal edge of the upper lateral cartilage (ULC) has been shown to play the most significant role [1] . Zuckerkandl named this narrow portion of the nasal cavity the “ostium internum” or “isthmus nasi”. The term “nasal valve” was introduced by Mink [2] . During inspiration, negative pressure is generated at the site of the nasal valve which leads to medialization of the lateral nasal wall and an increase in nasal airway resistance [1] [3] . Any additional element that causes further narrowing of the airways at this site leads to a significant increase in airway resistance. A number of surgical techniques have been described to improve airflow in the nasal valve area [4] [5] . Based on the “auto spreader” technique described by Fomon [6] and Gruber [7] , we developed a new, minimally invasive variant which we have named the “Anterior Spreader Flap” (ASF). In this article we describe the surgical technique of the ASF and illustrate the effects on nasal breathing by means of computational fluid dynamics (CFD).

2. Case

A 36-year-old male patient presented in October of 2012 for a second opinion regarding bilaterally impaired nasal breathing. Prior surgical history included two nasal operations (septoplasty and bilateral turbinoplasty) in 2010 at a different hospital, also because of impaired nasal breathing. Despite prior surgery, our patient reported no significant improvement in his symptoms.

2.1. Preoperative Findings

Clinical (especially palpation) and radiological (CT scan) examination revealed a strongly deviated septum with bilateral narrowing of the nasal valve (Figure 1).

Self-assessment of nasal obstruction by means of a nasal resistance score on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (10 = impossible to breathe through the nose; 0 = free nasal breathing) resulted in 9 out of 10 points on the right side and 8 out of 10 on the left. Because the patient refused to undergo major surgical intervention under general anesthesia, we proposed performing an ASF under local anesthesia. Our patient agreed to undergo the operation and gave written informed consent for the publication of our results.

2.2. Surgical Technique

A schematic illustration of the surgical technique is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 3(a) depicts the pre-operative endonasal status. Preparation of the ULC is performed following submucous infiltration with 2 - 3 ml 1% lidocaine with epinephrine 0.0001%. An intercartilaginous incision is subsequently performed in conjunction with a bilateral anterior hemitransfixing incision. The skin is carefully lifted from the cartilaginous nasal dorsum and the mucosa is dissected from the caudal edge of the ULC. The ULC is sharply separated from the dorsal septum over a length of 7 - 10 mm, folded inwards proximally between septum and the lateral ULC (Figure 3(b)) and fixed with a 5 - 0 mattress suture (Figure 3(c)). The final step is re-fixation of the mucosa with an absorbable suture (Figure 3(d)) and introduction of a nasal tamponade for 48 hours to secure the ASF.

2.3. Postoperative Findings

The nasal tamponade was removed after 48 hours and the sutures 10 days post-operatively in an out-patient setting. During the 12 month follow-up visit, our patient confirmed an improvement in the nasal resistance score on the right side from 9 to 2 and from 8 to 2 on the left. There were no complications.

2.4. CFD Findings

CFD “steady flow” was simulated using the Fluent 6.3 Software (ANSYS Inc., Canonsburg, PA, USA). The technical details are consistent with the results of our previously published work [8] . The pre-operative CFD examination clearly demonstrates the pre-stenotic turbulence with an increased pressure gradient in the form of expansions. We call this area “free anterior spaces” (Figure 4).

The preand post-operative comparative CFD studies revealed signs of morphologic changes in the anterior part of the nose. These led to a pressure drop from pre-operative values of 3.77 Pa on the right and 3.76 Pa on the left to a post-operative value of 3.55 Pa on both sides (Figure 5). The preoperatively demonstrated “free anterior spaces” as a sign of an increased inspiratory pressure gradient were no longer detectable.

3. Discussion

We started using the ASF technique in 2010 for patients with nasal airflow obstruction. Because airflow obstruction is usually of multifactorial origin, the indication for a spreader flap as single treatment is rarely given. In accordance with other authors’ previous experience [4] [9] , we prefer to use the ASF in combination with other surgical treatments (septoplasty, turbinoplasty) to maximize functional output. Since 2010 we have treated more than twenty patients with the ASF and it was used successfully as a single procedure in four of these cases.

Due to the clinically relevant changes in the septal area, open extracorporeal septoplasty would have been indicated in the present case, but this was refused by the patient. We therefore performed the ASF as a single surgical procedure.

It is difficult to demonstrate the efficacy of spreader grafts and flaps alone because they are frequently performed in combination with other procedures. Moreover, the objective measurement of the precise extent of physical restrictions is limited in current clinical practice [4] [9] . In our experience, there is an inadequate correlation between rhinomanometry results and the patient’s subjective symptoms.

We agree with André et al. [4] that preand post-operative nasal breathing scores reliably reflect the patient’s symptoms and is an easily usable method in daily clinical practice. At present, the only suitable alternative is specialized imaging which allows the preand post-operative structural and physical status to be measured objectively.

CFD examinations, which are based on CT scans, allow for imaging and measurement of nasal flow conditions and the related pressure gradients in specific areas of the nose [8] . Nevertheless, a direct correlation with the patient’s symptoms still has to be demonstrated.

The CFD results illustrate the morphological changes in the nasal cavity and decreased pressure gradients at the nasal valve, which indicate reduced nasal airway resistance. This was confirmed by our patient’s subjective bilateral improvements in nasal breathing. Without any surgical procedure involving the nasal septum, postoperative self-assessment test results improved from 9 to 2 points on the right and from 8 to 2 points on the left.

The ASF is a non-resecting, minimally invasive variant of auto spreader grafts and can be performed under local anesthesia. The main advantage of our novel technique is that the nasal dorsum can be preserved over its full length.

For the preparation of the ULC, we recommend hydrodissection by submucous infiltration at the beginning of the procedure. To maintain stability of the nose, the scroll area must be preserved and not be detached from the lateral crus. The mucosa of the medial side of the ULC and the corresponding area of the septum are detached from the cartilage until the connection between the septum and the ULC can be sufficiently visualized. Preparation of the mucosa in this narrow area is very demanding and should be performed only by experienced nasal surgeons.

The caudal edge of the ULC is folded inwards in a proximal direction to the dorsal edge of the nasal septum, which leads to an increased cross section in the area of the limen nasi and to stabilization of the ULC. Re-fixation of the ULC to the septum is not required.

4. Conclusion

The ASF is an effective, minimally invasive option for supporting the nasal valve and extending the cross section of the nose. The main advantage of the ASF technique is that the nasal dorsum can be preserved over its full length. The ASF can easily be combined with other nasal surgical techniques (e.g. septum surgery), which is frequently required to efficiently treat the impairment of nasal breathing. In selected cases, if there are no additional cause for nasal obstruction, or if septum revision is not possible for any reason, the ASF may be performed as a single procedure.

Conflicts of Interests

There are no conflicts of interest.

References

NOTES

^*Corresponding author.