A Single Teaching Hospital Experience With Absorbable LATERA Implant for Nasal Valve Collapse.

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Rhinology
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Nasal valve collapse (NVC) is a prevalent cause of nasal obstruction impacting quality of life.
• Current management strategies for NVC lack a definitive consensus.
• Functional rhinoplasty is a traditional treatment, but minimally invasive alternatives are being explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the LATERA implant for treating NVC.
• To assess patient-reported outcomes and satisfaction following LATERA implant placement.
• To determine the complication rate associated with the LATERA implant procedure.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, single-centre study conducted from 2022 to 2025.
• Adult patients with NVC underwent LATERA implant placement.
• Efficacy was measured by changes in Functional Rhinoplasty Outcome Inventory-17 (FROI-17) scores at six months post-procedure.

Main Results:

• Significant improvement in FROI-17 scores observed in 90.9% of patients (n=20).
• Mean FROI-17 score decreased by 38.5 points (p<0.01), indicating enhanced nasal function.
• No major complications, including infection or implant extrusion, were reported.

Conclusions:

• The LATERA implant presents a safe and effective treatment for NVC.
• The implant demonstrates a high success rate in improving quality of life related to nasal obstruction.
• Further comparative studies are recommended to solidify its role as a minimally invasive option.