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Ear, Nose, Throat & Sinus Specialists

Dr. Edgar Lueg, MD, FACS, FRCSC
Ventura's only Board-Certified Head & Neck Surgeon
with Advanced Fellowship Training

Nasal Blockage

Septoplasty | Turbinoplasty | Nasal Valve Repair

Feeling congested and not being able to easily breathe through your nose is extremely aggravating, especially during exercise or at night and in many patients can lead to or make snoring worse. Since the nose is our body's natural "humidifier" and "air filter", not using it properly is not healthy.

Normally the inside of the nose ("Nasal Cavity") is separated down the middle by a thin cartilage and bony wall ("Septum"). The humidifier and filter ("Turbinate") hangs down from the side. The "Nasal Valves" are the narrowest part of the nostrils where they open and can often be seen to collapse when one breathes in deeply through your nose. The three most common causes of Nasal Blockage are a 1) crooked or "Deviated Septum", 2) Turbinate overgrowth "Turbinate Hypertrophy", and 3) Nasal Valve Collapse. Frequently all three can contribute to a person's nasal blockage.

Nasal Polyps, which are benign grape-like growths inside the nose (usually from chronic nasal inflammation like nasal allergy over many years) can also cause Nasal Blockage or Congestion.

Septoplasty

Septoplasty or straightening of the septum is an outpatient procedure done entirely through your nostrils while you are asleep under anesthesia. Dr. Lueg's method straightens not only the front of the Septum but all the way to the very back (often 3 inches or more in an adult).

Turbinoplasty

Turbinoplasty or re-shaping the Turbinate to make it smaller is also an outpatient procedure done entirely through your nostrils while you are asleep under anesthesia. Dr. Lueg's method re-shapes not only the soft tissue part of the Turbinate but also the underlying bone itself.

Nasal Valve Repair

Nasal Valve Repair involves the placement of small polymer implants inside the nostrils just under the skin of the side of the nose as an outpatient while you are asleep under anesthesia. While the implants dissolve over several months the scar tissue which develops as they dissolve means the benefit of the implants is permanent. Some have described these implants as permanent invisible "Breath Rite Strips".

Septoplasty, Turbinoplasty, and Nasal Valve Repair are often performed at the same time to achieve the highest possible success rate. All three together takes about 15-20 minutes to perform. There are no facial incisions, bruising, or changes to the shape or appearance of your nose. It is very safe and effective, and most patients are able to return to normal activities within a week.

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