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Vivaer nasal valve remodeling and Empty Nose Syndrome?
Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) | Last Active: Sep 16, 2023 | Replies (82)Comment receiving replies
The only thing I know is the literature that my ENT doctor gave me. He said it is a non-invasive procedure that reshapes the nasal valve area, widening the area to possibly help with airflow. I've been to three different ENT's, and two of them wanted to go in invasively and fix my deviated septum, and reduce turbinates, either with coblation or other means. After hearing about ENS, I am not sure I want to take that chance. The Vivaer procedure apparently uses radio waves to shrink and reshape the nasal valve area. But then I saw a an article from an ENT doctor stating, that even messing around with the nasal valve area could cause issues like ENS. Because the nasal valve area is supposed to have some resistance of air.
I have "mild" sleep apnea(use BIPAP machine), had a DISE procedure which showed my tongue base collapsing blocking airway. I use BIPAP with dental appliance and still breathe through mouth sometimes and get obstructions. My ENT says he needs to start by opening nasal airway and then from there, consider other options for my tongue collapse and recessed jaw, like jaw surgery.
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I had the Vivaer procedure done and am extremely happy with it. The doctor I went to is an ENT surgeon and we decided that, to correct my breathing issues (worse during allergy season) would require a complex surgery with a possibly questionable outcome. Five years later he was offering the Vivaer radio-frequency remodeling (of cartilage) and thought it would be a solution for me. It was. I walked into the procedure breathing 'snuffily' and on pseudephedrine and walked out breathing better. Haven't taken any nasal decongestants since then.
It is not surgery, no anesthesia, no bleeding, no swelling. The local anesthesia, I think lidocaine, needles hurt. About as much as for an oral surgery for the first needle.
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I had the Vivaer Procedure done one year ago this month. I can now breathe perfectly and would recommend this procedure to everyone. I use to sleep in a pretzel position or sleeping almost upright in my recliner chair. I slept with my mouth open and snored before the procedure. The procedure took less that 1/2 hour and I immediately was able to breathe. There was a 2 week healing process which was slightly uncomfortable but nothing worse than before the procedure. The Avaer procedure has altered my life in making me able to function during the day and sleep peacefully during the night.