Nasal valve collapse is defined as weakness of the cartilage of the nose responsible for keeping the nostrils open while breathing in. This may occur due to congenital reasons or as a result of surgery which can weaken the cartilage and / or structure of the nose. Care may include conservative measures such as breathe right strips or sinus cones to more easily keep the nostrils open, medical management of other nasal issues (treating allergies or turbinate hypertrophy), or surgery to bolster or strengthen the weakened cartilage, which can be done with a dissolvable implant under local anesthesia, or place cartilage grafts to widen the nasal valve.
