Collapse Repair

A septic tank cave-in can happen suddenly, without warning. This type of septic system failure isn’t very obvious from above the ground when it’s about to happen. That’s why, if you own a property with an aging septic tank, it’s important to have the entire septic system inspected on a regular basis.

According to Dr. Jim Koch, from Bloomington, Indiana, very few surgeons repair tracheal collapses surgically and there is no straightforward correction. Koch is unaware of any surgeons in Indiana doing the surgery but there is at least one surgeon in Chicago that does them but only as a last resort. They can be repaired but frequently are not. Internal and external nasal valve collapse involves different repair strategies. Most repair techniques involve adding stronger structural support, in the form of cartilage in the majority of cases, to promote valve patency. The internal and external nasal valves are often addressed during the same nasal valve collapse surgery.

Holes in the ground resulting from a septic tank collapse can range from a few inches to many feet wide in diameter. This is an extremely hazardous condition, not only to children or pets who may walk over the area of the yard that’s affected, but also there’s concern in that the waste products inside the tank carry harmful germs and bacteria that give off dangerous methane gas.

A weighty issue

It’s important to be aware of how to prevent a septic tank collapse. Not only is the dirt that covers the tank extremely heavy, be sure that you don’t drive any vehicles or heavy equipment over the surrounding area of the yard where the septic tank is located.

Another concern is an aging tank. You will likely be unaware as it starts to form cracks when it begins to degrade.

24-Hour Emergency Service

Should a septic system emergency occur, and you are a property owner within the state of Connecticut, Saviour Septic is a highly qualified, licensed and insured CT Septic System Contractor, available to respond 24 -hours a day.

We are also available to make on-site septic systems repairs. We can dig up and remove the damaged septic tank and install a brand new one.

In this case, we installed a new poly septic tank to replace the old septic tank that has collapsed.

After the job is complete, you can be confident that we will leave your property in good shape, level and smooth condition with our professional excavation services, ready for seeding and the establishment of a brand new lawn.

You know, More than 70% of the air you breathe in passes through your nasal valve!!

Collapsing of the nasal valve leads to lowering the amount of air you breathe and, thus, a lesser supply of oxygen.

It also impacts your QoL (Quality of Life) negatively.

So, this article would be of great help to you if you get stuck in this problem ever.

And you can even help someone close to you needs your advice on his/her nasal valve collapse.

So, let’s dive right in!!

What Will You Learn?

Your nose is much more complicated than it seems. The real explanation of the nasal valve structure was brought to this world by Mink in 1903.

Your valve is divided into two parts, i.e., external valve and internal valve.

But more often, the internal structure is regarded as the complete nasal valve.

The anterior end of inferior turbinates (structures responsible for cleansing and humidifying air), aligns adjacently with the nasal septum.

The septum and the ULC (upper lateral cartilage) form an angle of 10-15° between them.

This whole structure constitutes your nasal valve. For some time it might confuse you. And that’s all fine.

The last thing you must know is:

The nasal valve area is the site of the highest resistance to nasal airflow. So, even a bit, collapsing has a severe effect on airflow dynamics.

That’s a bit indigestible! Isn’t it? But, nothing to worry, everything would be cleared by the time you reach the bottom.

What Is a Nasal Valve Collapse?

Nasal Valve Collapse is a term for the narrowing of your nasal passage due to weakening your nasal valves. Thus, making it too difficult for you to breathe through your nose.

And the reason behind it being increased resistance and blocked airflow.

The question which follows is – What causes your nasal valve to collapse? Though there are many, some are very common.

Let’s get to know them now.

What causes a nasal valve collapse?

As mentioned above, your nasal valve may collapse due to several reasons.

Below are some of the most common among them which you must be aware of.

1.Nose Job:

If you have undergone rhinoplasty (other terms for nose job) ever, then there might be some possible complications with your nasal valve.

These complications could be severe sometimes. Thus, leaving you with a collapsed nasal valve.

2. Injury

Trauma or injury involving your nose is also a cause for collapsing of your nasal valve.

It is so because the nasal valve is a complicated and delicate structure. And, even a bit of complication with it is severe for your nose.

3. Heredity

It is not always necessary that you get your nasal valve collapsed only due to some trauma or history of surgery.

It is often inherited through your parents genetically.

Surgery Name For Nasal Valve Collapse Repair

4. Ageing

As you get older, the muscles from which your valves are made up of, start getting weak.

So, there’s also a high chance of developing a valve collapse with increasing age and the natural aging process.

Studies even claim that inhalation of cocaine for a long time is a cause behind the collapsed nasal valve.

Along with it, septum deviation is also a prevalent cause.

So, as you must have got a glimpse that there’s not a single cause for nostril collapse.

There are several small-small factors contributing to it. Hence if you have got a collapsed valve, there’s nothing to worry much.

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Symptoms Helping You Identify Collapsed Valve

Congestion in the nose while breathing is the most noticeable symptom showing your valves are collapsed.

But apart from it, few more signs help you figure out whether you have a nasal valve collapse.

The symptoms include:

• Stuffiness of Nasal Passage
• Difficulty in Sleeping
• The feeling of Nasal Blockage or Bloody Nose
• Breathing Difficulty While Doing Workouts
• Crusting of Nostrils

How do you fix a collapsed nasal valve?

For handling this disease, there are both non-surgical as well as surgical methods (used most often).

Let’s have an eye over both type of treatment options, one-by-one.

Even though many patients recover this issue through non-surgical options, surgical treatment is required occasionally.

Some conventional non-surgical methods include:

I. Antihistamines:

Antihistamine – Oral H1, has long been known for its effectiveness in allergic rhinitis symptoms.

Some pieces of evidence also show them to have modest decongestant action in conditions like collapsing of nasal valves.

Antihistamines also help with symptoms of allergy such as runny nose/ rhinorrhea.

II. Nasal Corticosteroid:

Lung Collapse Repair

Nasal steroid spray or nasal corticosteroids are used for medication delivery to the nasal cavities.

Along with helping in conditions such as nasal congestion and allergic rhinitis, they also help you with collapsed nasal valves.

They help to reduce swelling of your tissues forming valves and thus provide an extra millimetre of space for air to pass.

These sprays feel fantastic to use during nasal congestion (whatever be the cause).

III. Nasal Strip:

We often notice athletes applying a bandage over their nose. Did you ever get why they do so? It is done to prevent snoring and reduce congestion during sports.

Nasal strips help with making your breath easy. It’s a type of adhesive bandage applied over your nasal bridge and sides of nostrils. Thus, facilitating to keep the airway open.

IV. Nasal Dilators:

These are also a safe go-to option for blocked nasal passage. As nasal strips (also known as external nasal dilators), these too are visible from outside.

Still, they are of great help when you need to breathe through your nose during congestion due to valve collapse.

And the best thing, they prevent you from surgery and medications. These dilators usually pull your tissues from inside. Thus, making your nasal passage wider for you.

Side Note: Non-Surgical treatments are temporary go-to options, as they don’t change the physiology (or structure) of your nose.

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The surgical methods have long been known for treating any nasal issue permanently. And this is also true when it comes to curing collapsed nasal valves.

During surgery, your inner nose is reshaped for improvement in the dynamics of airflow.

Below are some surgery options you could go with, for your collapsed nasal valves.

So, let’s dive right in!

1. LATERA:

It is the surgery option which is least invasive and highly effective in the long run.

The surgery uses Latera implant, which is a small beam-like structure made up of an absorbable polymer.

How Is LATERA performed?

A unique needle-shaped device is used to insert the Latera implant inside your nose.

This implant helps to support your upper and lower cartilage present at the lateral wall of your nose.

Below is a video showing the implantation of Latera. The implantation is performed by a qualified otolaryngologist (Specialist of Ear, Nose, and Throat).

During a study done on 396 patients using Bio-absorbable Implant (Latera), it was found that Latera also showed significant improvement in QoL.

Since this treatment is done without making an incision so Latera patients should avoid pinching and blowing their nose.

They also should take special care of their nose for about a week or two after the procedure.

If you want more detailed information on Latera, feel free to visit Latera.Com.

2. Structural Cartilage Grafting/ Alar Batten Grafting:

This treatment option is so prevalent that when it comes to treating collapsed nasal valves, ordinary people think it to be the only go-to option.

A study was done for about 7-years in which 107 patients underwent alar batten grafting.

The patients chosen for this study had nasal obstruction caused by INVI (Internal Nasal Valve Incompetence).

The result of this surgery was so amazing, that I can’t wait anymore to share with you. And here it is!

Among all 107 patients;

→ 91% reported improvement in Nasal Blockage and

→ 88% showed an increase in their QoL (Quality of Life)

The maximum improvement was seen at six months following the surgery. The conclusion drawn out from the above study was:

Alar Batten Graft Is A Highly Effective Technique for Treating INVI And the Outcomes Produced Are Satisfactory.

Since nasal valve collapse affects your health negatively, this surgery doesn’t come under the cosmetic and elective insurance category.

Basement Wall Collapse Repair

And thus here’s a piece of good news for you, it gets covered under most of the health insurance plans.

How Is Alar Batten Grafting Performed?

First, the thing you should know is, What are alar batten grafts?

Alar batten grafts are flat, oval-shaped pieces made from cartilage taken from your body.

Most of the times cartilage are taken from your nasal septum, but if complications arise there, they may take it from your ears or ribs.

Surgeons insert this graft during rhinoplasty. If it is a closed rhinoplasty, then a small incision is made inside your nose to create little pockets on each side.

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The size of this pocket is made based upon the size of the graft. Then with the help of forceps, the graft is inserted inside the pocket. And that’s all, the surgeons do.

Else, if the rhinoplasty is an open one, then it is placed directly by operating the area which needs additional strength.

This is performed through the outer exposed surface of your nose.

The main motive of this method is to add structure and support to your sidewall (lateral one) and valves which are collapsed.

Are Alar Batten Grafts Visible?

Mostly no, and sometimes yes. Alar batten grafts get visible as they get placed within your skin and occasionally also lift the nose outward.

So, you feel the grafts in place.

Nasal Valve Collapse Before and After

Here’s a view, how the nasal valve looks before and after its treatment.

Which treatment option is the best?

I know, the fixes mentioned above for nasal valve collapse, would have confused you for once.

If you are stuck with, which option should you go with, then consider having an appointment with your doctor? Your doctor would suggest the best fit for you.

Also Read: How to remove fiberglass safely from skin?

Post-surgery Tips For Smooth Recovery

The expected recovery period of the surgery is about 7 -10 days. If the operation involves rhinoplasty or septoplasty (surgery for deviated septum), then the recovery period is a bit longer than expected.

Medications for pain are given based on the patient’s requirement. Still, some tips could help you make your recovery smooth.

Here are some Do’s and Don’ts aiding to your recovery. You must practice them while you are in the resting period.

DO’S

✔Sleeping with Your Head Elevated To Hasten Recovery

Collapsed Airway

✔Regularly Following Your Doctor’s Advice

✔ Attending Post-Operative Appointment Sessions for Healing Well and Quality Aftercare

DON’TS

✘Do Not Do Yoga Involving Your Nose or Making You Breathe Faster

✘ Do Not Neglect Even A Bit of Nose Bleeding, Consult Your Doctor Immediately

Repair Collapsed Lung

✘Do Not Engage in High-Intensity Activities Such as Sports

✘Do Not Take Ibuprofen or Aspirin (Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), As They Prevent Blood Clotting and Make You Bleed Excessively. [For Safe Medication Consult Your Doctor]

Adarsh Kumar is a health blogger with two years of expertise in health, nutrition, surgery, and wellness fields. He always aims at providing high-quality information to his readers.