Dr. Hilinski now offers the Spirox Latera procedure to help with your chronic nasal obstruction and difficulty breathing through the nose. If you notice that pulling on the side of your nose helps your nasal function – or you benefit from using Breathe Right strips – you may be a good candidate to under the Spirox Latera minimally invasive procedure.
What is Spirox Latera?
The Spirox Latera is a nasal implant that is FDA approved to help in the treatment of chronic nasal obstruction due to weak nasal valve structure. The nasal valve area is actually two different critical zones within the nose that play an important role in terms of proper nasal breathing. The external valve area primarily involves the lower lateral cartilage – the support structures that keep the nostrils open while breathing into the nose. The internal valve area corresponds to an even more delicate region where the upper lateral cartilage and nasal septum converge. In many patients, one or both of these areas can be weakened (congenitally or from prior surgery), which leads to trouble breathing through the nose.
The Spirox Latera implant can be used to help reinforce both of these areas so that proper support (and resistance to collapse) is achieved. The Latera device is inserted on the inside lining of the nose and strategically positioned along the deep tissues of the nasal side wall. The upper end of the Latera sits over the dense nasal bone – allowing the remainder of the Latera device to cantilever out and over the weakened cartilage. Essentially, this provides much needed rigidity that helps keep the nasal airway more open.
Does Insurance Cover Latera?
Because of the implications for improved nose function and nasal breathing, the Spirox Latera procedure is often times covered by your medical insurance carrier. Of course, you would need to have a personalized consultation and examination by Dr. Hilinski in order to determine your candidacy and coverage for the procedure. Our office accepts most PPO insurance plans.
Latera Anesthesia
The Spirox Latera implant procedure can be done under local anesthesia. However, most patients will have the Latera procedure done under IV sedation or general anesthesia because it is commonly performed in combination with septoplasty work (for a deviated nasal septum) and/or inferior turbinate work.
Results from Latera
The results from the Spirox Latera implant procedure can be appreciated almost immediately. Many patients who undergo placement of the Latera implant note a marked, obvious improvement in their breathing right after the procedure has been completed.
Latera Side Effects
Side effects from Latea can include bruising and discomfort in the region where the Latera implant was placed. This usually resolves with 1-3 days of the procedure. In some cases, patients can also notice a visible swelling that corresponds to the position of the Latera implant. However, in a great majority of cases, this swelling will subside within a few weeks.
Latera Expert Consultation
Contact our office today to arrange for a personalized consult with expert nasal surgeon and double board certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. John Hilinski. As a regional specialist and authority in reconstructive nose surgery to help with nasal obstruction, he will help guide you in making the right decision for your particular situation.
