Radiofrequency treatment of nasal valve obstruction in endurance athletes

Nasal valve stenosis is one of the most common causes of nasal obstruction. Mainly during physical exercise, a nasal obstruction can lead to a significant reduction in athletic endurance. So far surgical treatment of the nasal valve obstruction is often associated with an extended recovery period and the risk of external deformity. The aim of this study was to investigate how the temperature-controlled radiofrequency treatment of the upper lateral cartilage under local anethesia can reduce nasal obstruction. The study was performed on 15 endurance athletes suffering from chronic nasal obstruction due to a bilateral nasal valve collapse. The investigated criteria were the maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max), the Borg Scale of perceived exertion, the time till complete mouth breathing during exercise, each performed preoperative and postoperative using spiroergometry. Nasal obstruction was assessed by the NOSE-Scale and rhinomanometry. With the exception of a temporary external swelling in 3 cases, no other serious procedure-related adverse events occurred. The mean baseline postoperative NOSE score decreased 38,66±18,33 points. The average time till complete mouth breathing during exercise extended postoperative from 7.19 min to 8.54 min ± 0,33. In 69 % postoperative VO₂max increased. The treatment of internal nasal valve stenosis using a temperature-controlled radiofrequency device is a safe procedure. Nasal respiration time to exhaustion was significantly longer postoperative. Nasal obstruction was evidently improved. Due to the non-invasive remodelling of the internal nasal valve this procedure could be a considered as a new way of treating nasal valve collapse.

Poster-PDF A-1407.PDF

Publication History

Article published online:
10 June 2020