The Footplate Suture Technique for External Nasal Valve Surgery

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To report the preliminary results of the footplate suture technique for narrowing the columellar base to improve nasal respiration and the cosmetic features of the nasal sill. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with nasal obstruction who presented with external nasal valve obstruction were treated with the footplate suture technique. Data on the patient characteristics, operative procedures, and outcomes were gathered from medical records. RESULTS: Five patients were included in this study. The footplate suture technique was used in all patients, together with septoplasty, batten graft and inferior turbinoplasty to improve the nasal valve obstruction as needed. In each case, divergent footplate segments of the medial nasal alar crura were identified and tied to medialize and narrow the columellar base. All patients had satisfactory subjective nasal breathing and cosmetic results. CONCLUSIONS: The footplate suture technique is an adjunctive procedure that improves the nasal obstruction and nasal sill disfiguration caused by external nasal valve obstruction, especially due to the divergent footplate segments of the medial alar crura.