Nasal obstruction from facial palsy
M. May, J. W. West and K. H. Hinderer
Nasal obstruction due to a collapsed nasal ala occurred in 2% of our
patients with facial paralysis. The denervated dilator nasal muscles allow
the ala on the paralyzed side to collapse leading to increased resistance
to inspiration. This symptom was further aggravated by preexisting external
and nasoseptal obstructing deformities. Nasal obstruction from facial
paralysis was corrected with septorhinoplasty techniques in three patients
and by lateralization of the ala with a facial sling in another.
