Batten Grafts in Patients with Valve StenosisFunctional Outcome

Objective: The objective of this study was to find out how effective are batten grafts in improving nasal obstruction. Methods: In 20 patients with alar collapse, nasal batten grafts were used. Rhinomanometry, rhinoresistometry, clinical examinations, and the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation score served as outcome measures. Results: In 18 out of 20 patients, a postsurgical subjective improvement was stated, 2 patients experienced no improvement. No complications were observed. The batten grafts led to a statistically significant subjective improvement of the nasal obstruction in the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation score (P <.001). Rhinoresistometry did not detect the clinically present alar collapse. Conclusion: Batten grafts are a simple and effective method to treat nasal obstruction caused by weakness of the lateral nasal wall.