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In cases of narrowing of the internal nasal valve angle, we address all structures that commonly contribute to the internal valve area obstruction. We term this the 'triple-procedure technique'. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of this technique in improving patients' subjective nasal patency. A prospective longitudinal case study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in northeast of England. All consecutive patients who complained of nasal obstruction and were diagnosed with the internal nasal valve angle narrowing due to septal deviation were offered to have a triple-procedure operation (septoplasty, turbinate surgery and internal nasal valve surgery). Patients completed a validated nose-related questionnaire (Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE)) preoperatively, which was repeated 3 months after the operation. The change in NOSE score was the outcome measure. Eight of the nine patients recruited to the study completed the questionnaires (88% response rate). The total and the domain scores improved after the operation, which were clinically and statistically significant. The effect size proved to be very large (total NOSE score effect size, 4.0). Our study shows that addressing all three structures commonly affecting the internal valve area is an effective technique in improving the obstruction caused by the narrow internal nasal valve angle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tutoplast fascia lata (TFL) has been used as an onlay graft for nasal dorsal augmentation in open approach rhinoplasty; however, insertion of layers of moist TFL in the closed approach is technically challenging. We have presented a 'sandwich' technique which facilitates graft insertion in a closed approach rhinoplasty. The available autologous graft (cartilage or perpendicular plate of ethmoid) is sandwiched and secured between layers of TFL (sandwich technique) prior to insertion of the graft for nasal dorsal augmentation in a closed rhinoplasty approach. All our cases of nasal dorsal augmentation were reviewed in a 2 year period. Eight cases of nasal dorsal augmentation in secondary rhinoplasty through a closed approach were reviewed. The ease of insertion and the subsequent manipulation of the graft were noted in all the cases. Good aesthetic results have been noticed in all the cases after an average of 14 months follow-up. The sandwich technique ensures ease of the graft insertion and the subsequent manipulation in a closed approach secondary rhinoplasty for dorsal augmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]