The intranasal Z-plasty for nasal valve collapse

The objective of this chapter is to describe the technique of a minimally invasive method to repair internal nasal valve collapse, the intranasal Z-plasty. Intranasal Z-plasty has been well described for nasal valve stenosis and cleft nasal deformities but poorly described for idiopathic nasal valve collapse, the most common indication for nasal valve surgery. A retrospective medical record review has previously been performed of patients undergoing intranasal Z-plasty for nasal valve collapse and is discussed. Most patients noted subjective improvement in airflow on both sides, with the remaining patient noting improvement on one side and no change in the opposite side. No complications were reported, and no patients complained about postoperative nasal appearance. Based on these findings, the intranasal Z-plasty appears to be a safe, effective, and relatively noninvasive technique to repair internal nasal valve collapse.