In-Office Nasal Airway Solutions

When Metro Sinus Can Help

Nasal airway obstruction (NAO) has multiple causes in most patients. Factors such as inflammatory rhinitis, enlarged turbinates and a thickened or deviated nasal septum can all work together to make nasal breathing a chore.

A very common–but often overlooked–cause of NAO is nasal valve collapse, which occurs when the cartilages that support the nostril thin or weaken. Valve collapse is best described as a narrowing of the nostril or a nostril collapse when drawing a breath.

Modern technological advancements in ENT allow many of these causes of NAO to be addressed at once, non-invasively, and in the office.

What Is the VivAer^® Technology?

The VivAer^® stylus is a surgical handpiece that delivers low-temperature radiofrequency (RF) energy into the nasal tissues. These energy treatments gently remodel the nasal valve and reduce areas of swelling inside the nose, leading to a permanent improvement in nasal breathing.

Explore below to learn more about nasal valve collapse and how the VivAer^® technology can help you find relief from your nasal airway obstruction.

Meet Max:A story about better nasal breathing

VivAer^® FAQs

Significant, lasting relief with a non-invasive, office-friendly 20 minute treatment. Clinical studies have shown that 96% of patients undergoing the VivAer^® procedure report significant improvement in nasal breathing. More than 90% reported improved nasal breathing while lying down and exercising.

The procedure itself is nearly painless. Most patients need no sedation or pain medication during the procedure, and most drive themselves to and from the office.

Recovery is remarkably easy for most patients. Most return to work and normal activities almost immediately. There can be some minor surface scabbing inside of the nose, but this usually resolves within a month as the nasal airway opens up.

Dr. Conoyer and Dr. Boone have extensive experience with the VivAer^® procedure and have enjoyed bringing its results to patients for many years.

While VivAer^® is a fantastic option for many clinical situations, no procedure is the perfect approach for all patients. At Metro Sinus, we pride ourselves in specializing in all the latest and best sinus & nasal technological advancements–and matching the right procedural solution to the right patient, every time.

We recommend scheduling an appointment with us so that our physicians can help walk you through your best options to achieve your best possible results. Schedule your Metro Sinus consultation today–so that you can finally breathe better tomorrow.

Nasal Septoplasty

A deviated (or crooked) nasal septum is one of the most common causes of fixed nasal obstruction. The nasal septum is the midline wall of the nose, separating the left nasal cavity from the right.

Septal deviations are remarkably common, but relatively few are severe enough to warrant surgical correction in an operation called a nasal septoplasty.

Nasal Septoplasty FAQs

A nasal septoplasty is a procedure intended to improve the nasal airway by straightening a septal deviation. Septoplasties are most often performed in the operating room, but can be performed in the office in some circumstances.

Most septoplasties involve the removal of nasal septal cartilage and bone, and therefore are one of the more invasive nasal airway procedures. Many patients will have septal splints placed post-operatively, which are low-profile silicone stents designed to keep the septum straight for the first several days of healing. Most patients will have their activity limited for up to a week during the healing process.

Nasal septoplasties are performed to improve the nasal airway. With the fixed obstruction of the deviation eliminated, nearly all patients note a dramatic and permanent improvement in their nasal breathing and quality of life.

Studies have shown that combining a nasal septoplasty with an inferior turbinate reduction procedure can improve nasal symptom scores significantly more than nasal septoplasty alone. Learn more about turbinate reduction.

While it’s true that most patients have some degree of deviation to their nasal septum, it’s also true that the septum is not the primary reason most patients struggle to breathe through their nose.

Nasal septoplasties can bring remarkable benefits to select patients, but come at the expense of somewhat more pain and recovery time than other procedural options. At Metro Sinus, we believe nasal septoplasties are recommended and performed far too frequently. There is often a better way.

Schedule an appointment to learn more about all of your options for nasal obstruction. Be confident that Metro Sinus offers the full array of permanent office-based solutions available in modern ENT practice.

Turbinate Reduction

The lateral (outside) wall of the nasal cavity has three paired sets of turbinates–the inferior, middle, and superior turbinates. These function to act as filters for the air you breathe, removing particulates from the air you breathe into your lungs.

Hypertrophic (enlarged) inferior turbinates are most often implicated in chronic nasal obstruction and congestion. The inferior turbinates are unique in that they can substantially swell in response to environmental factors, filling the nasal cavity and creating a source of dynamic nasal obstruction.

The mainstays of medical treatment for inferior turbinate hypertrophy are nasal steroid sprays, antihistamines, and decongestants. When these are no longer effective in keeping your congestion under control, Metro Sinus can help.

Turbinate Reduction FAQs

An inferior turbinate reduction is a minimally-invasive procedure intended to improve this dynamic nasal obstruction in a permanent fashion. These can be performed in the office or in the OR, and are often done in conjunction with other procedures to improve different aspects of the nasal airway at once.

Most turbinate reduction procedures work by removing or shrinking the layer of erectile tissue that is sandwiched between the turbinate lining and its bony core. This limits the ability of the turbinate to swell in response to allergens or irritants in the environment.

There are many technologies available to the ENT surgeon to reduce inferior turbinates. The predominant ones in the modern era shrink the turbinates using radiofrequency (RF) energy (VivAer^®, RhinAer^®) or mechanically reduce them using a device called a microdebrider.

Most turbinate reductions are nearly painless, but may produce mild bloody discharge for several days following the procedure. No packing or foreign material is placed in the nose afterward, and there is no external bruising or swelling during recovery. Most patients return to work very soon after the procedure with minimal activity restrictions for the first several days of the healing process.

Turbinate reductions permanently address a major cause of both fixed and dynamic obstruction, but rarely are these procedures performed on their own. Studies have shown that combining an inferior turbinate reduction with other procedures (such as nasal septoplasty or balloon sinus dilation) can improve nasal symptom scores to an even greater extent.

The procedure and recovery are quick and nearly painless. Most patients note a lasting dramatic improvement in their nasal breathing afterward.

Turbinate hypertrophy is diagnosed in a large majority of patients with nasal complaints. That said, enlarged turbinates are rarely the only (or even the primary) cause of our patients’ problems.

While turbinate reductions can be helpful in select patients, we believe that your satisfaction and best outcome are made much more likely with our comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic approach. At Metro Sinus, you’ll have access to all the new technologies–and the experience to leverage them fully for your benefit.

RhinAer^® Procedure for Chronic Rhinitis

Chronic rhinitis is an extremely common condition that can be allergic or non-allergic in nature. Typical symptoms include rhinorrhea (runny nose), congestion, post-nasal drip, throat clearing and sneezing.

Most chronic rhinitis can be controlled with nasal sprays and antihistamines or other treatments such as allergy immunotherapy. For some, these interventions aren’t enough to control the symptoms of chronic rhinitis. Until recently, these patients had few other options.

The RhinAer^® procedure can be an excellent option in these cases. It treats the root causes of rhinorrhea, post-nasal drip and congestion at once, non-invasively, and in the office.

What Is the RhinAer^® Technology?

The RhinAer^® stylus is a surgical handpiece that delivers low-temperature radiofrequency (RF) energy into the nasal tissues. These energy treatments disrupt the posterior nasal nerve (PNN) fibers that trigger rhinitis, while simultaneously reducing anatomic triggers to congestion inside the nose. It’s almost like getting two benefits with one easy procedure.

Explore below to learn more about chronic rhinitis and how RhinAer^® technology can help you find relief from your nasal congestion and drainage.

Meet Mary:A story about treating a runny, stuffy nose

RhinAer^® FAQs

Significant, lasting relief with a non-invasive, office-friendly 20 minute treatment. Clinical studies have shown that 88% of patients undergoing the RhinAer^® procedure report significant improvement in their chronic rhinitis symptoms.

The procedure itself is nearly painless. Most patients need no sedation or pain medication during the procedure, and most drive themselves to and from the office.

Recovery is remarkably easy for most patients. Most return to work and normal activities almost immediately and start to notice a difference within several weeks.

Dr. Boone and Dr. Conoyer have extensive experience with the RhinAer^® procedure and have enjoyed bringing its results to patients for many years.

While RhinAer^® is a fantastic option for many clinical situations, no procedure is the perfect approach for all patients. At Metro Sinus, we pride ourselves in specializing in all the latest and best sinus & nasal technological advancements–and matching the right procedural solution to the right patient, every time.

We recommend scheduling an appointment with us so that our physicians can help walk you through your best options to achieve your best possible results. Schedule your Metro Sinus consultation today–so that you can finally breathe better tomorrow.

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In-Office Nasal Airway Solutions

When Metro Sinus Can Help

What Is the VivAer® Technology?

VivAer® FAQs