Innovations in Functional Rhinoplasty: The Latera Implant
Functional rhinoplasty is an operation that improves breathing by improving the stability of the lateral walls of the nose. Septoplasty is often a part of both functional and cosmetic rhinoplasty, since a crooked nose cannot be straightened without also straightening the septum. By harvesting cartilage from the septum at the same time as straightening it, important weak or narrow areas in the nose, like the internal nasal valves, can be supported to improve nasal breathing or prevent postoperative nasal obstruction.
The latest innovation in nasal valve surgery is the Latera implant by Spirox. This small implant is inserted via a small cannula into the nasal side wall under local anesthesia. The implant is made from a polymer that gradually dissolves and is absorbed over a period of 18 months. The Latera implant supports the upper lateral cartilage and reduces its tendency to collapse during inspiration (see video below).
The nasal implant provides another pathway to increased stability and less chance of post-op nasal obstruction. Some patients already have nasal obstruction, but also want a cosmetic change like a straighter nose (functional rhinoplasty). In these patients the implant can add more support than other techniques to open the airway.
Placing the implant does not add to the recovery time of the rhinoplasty, and does not cause any additional swelling or pain.
Dr. Constantinides is the first surgeon in the U.S. to use the Latera implant in conjunction with functional rhinoplasty surgery. In addition to straightening the nose and supporting the internal and external nasal valves with cartilage grafts from the septum, he inserts the Latera implant to give additional airway support without causing additional widening or unwanted aesthetic changes. “I have been very impressed with the ease of implantation and how well the Latera implant works in conjunction with everything else I do to improve breathing in my patients,” says Dr. Constantinides.
To read more about functional rhinoplasty at Westlake Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, please see our blog Can Rhinoplasty Correct a Deviated Septum?
Dr. Minas Constantinides is double board-certified, in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery and in Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. He is Secretary on the Executive Committee of the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. To read more about Dr. Constantinides, please see his bio.
Dr. Minas Constantinides is a board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon at Westlake Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in Austin, Texas. He is on the Executive Committee of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) and is a Senior Advisor of the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS).