LATERA for Nasal Obstruction
What is Nasal Airway Obstruction?
Nasal breathing normally delivers 70% of airflow to the lungs. More than 20 million Americans suffer from nasal airway obstruction (NAO), which limits airflow through the nose with significant quality of life consequences. Symptoms may include:
- Difficulty breathing at rest and/or while exercising
- Reduced sleep time or sleep quality
- Reduced daytime productivity
What causes Nasal Airway Obstruction?
Even slight narrowing of the nasal passage can lead to significant reduction in airflow. Structural blockages in three areas are common:
- Lateral (side) wall: The upper/lower cartilage in the side of your nose can flex or collapse inward when you breathe.
- Septum: The cartilage wall between the nostrils can bend and block the nasal passage.
- Turbinates: Ridges of bone and tissue inside your nose can limit airflow when enlarged.
Is lateral wall collapse contributing to my Nasal Airway Obstruction?
Your doctor can determine the cause of your NAO. If your symptoms improve when you wear nasal strips, or when you perform a simple breathing test called the Cottle Maneuver (see illustration to the right), you may benefit from support for your lateral wall.
The LATERA implant is a minimally invasive option for supporting upper and lower lateral wall cartilage in your nose.
How does LATERA work?
The LATERA Absorbable Nasal Implant is used to support upper and lower lateral cartilage in your nose. It is placed inside the nasal wall in a minimally invasive way. Supporting the cartilage in this manner may reduce nasal airway obstruction symptoms and help patients breathe better. The LATERA implant is made of a material that absorbs over a period of approximately 18 months, so can deliver support without limiting future treatment options.
What have patients experienced with the LATERA implant?
LATERA showed significant quality of life improvement for nasal obstruction patients with lateral wall or nasal valve collapse. While individual results may vary, LATERA patients saw the following improvements in:
- Reduced nasal congestion or stuffiness
- Less trouble breathing through the nose
- Improved ability to get enough air through the nose during exercise or exertion
- Reduced nasal blockage or obstruction
- Less trouble sleeping
Patients experienced a reduction in nasal obstruction symptoms of 56% at 6 months, as measured by the NOSE survey. Patients got these results without negative cosmetic effects. Risks included temporary symptoms such as:
- Mild bruising and inflammation
- Awareness of the implant
- Mild pain or irritation
- Other risks related to the LATERA implant include: discomfort, infection, reaction to material, and device retrieval.
Talk to your doctor about your nasal obstruction to find out if LATERA could be right for you.
LATERA Patient Education Video
Learn more about LATERA procedure:
Patient Testimonials
Candace was a thin-skinned patient who had dealt with breathing problems since her high school years, and discusses her initial concerns she had prior to procedure about wanting a breathing solution but not a cosmetic surgery, appearance, exercise/sleep factors, and overall thoughts post-LATERA
Learn more about the The LATERA Absorbable Nasal Implant by downloading the following brochure: