Subjective and Objective Evaluation of a Novel Nasal Tip Elevating Strip for Nasal Obstruction: A Pilot Study

Background Chronic nasal obstruction represents a significant clinical challenge in rhinology, frequently leading to a reduction in respiratory function and a measurable impact on patient-reported quality of life. While external nasal dilators are frequently utilised as a non-invasive treatment, most existing devices focus solely on lateral nasal valve stabilisation. A novel biomechanical approach involving nasal tip elevation may offer additional symptomatic relief, particularly as a temporary measure for patients awaiting definitive surgical correction. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the clinical impact of a novel biomechanical approach, based on nasal tip elevation, on both patient-reported symptoms and objective inspiratory airflow. Materials and methods A prospective study was conducted between December 2025 and June 2026 on 29 Caucasian adults (mean age 42.86 ± 11.09 years) with severe nasal septal deviation and inferior turbinate hypertrophy. Objective patency was assessed using peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF). Subjective outcomes were evaluated via a visual analog scale (VAS) for breathing ease at day one, and nasal obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE) and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) questionnaires after seven days of treatment. Results NOSE scores diminished significantly after one week (from 12.41 ± 3.88 to 10.45 ± 3.52; p < 0.05). VAS scores demonstrated an improvement trend that did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.07). No significant changes were registered in PNIF or ESS values between baseline and the end of the treatment period. No major complications occurred; only one patient (3.4%) noted minor skin redness at the application site, with no study dropouts. Conclusions The novel nasal tip-elevating strip provides significant symptomatic relief in patients with chronic nasal obstruction. It represents an effective non-invasive tool for symptomatic management and a reliable bridge therapy for individuals awaiting definitive surgical correction.