Spirox, a company based in Menlo Park, California, won FDA clearance for its LATERA nasal implant. It’s designed to support the upper and lower lateral nasal cartilages in patients suffering from nasal valve collapse that causes obstructions and difficulty breathing. Eventually absorbed by the body after about 18 months, it’s expected to restore the natural strength of the nasal cavity.
The LATERA delivered in a minimally invasive procedure without any visible cosmetic consequences following the procedure. The procedure itself is quick and takes only a few steps that an ENT or facial plastic surgeon would be comfortable with.
A couple comments from physicians who have already used the LATERA according to Spirox’s announcement:
“Nasal obstruction takes a significant toll on patient quality of life, but is often undertreated and underdiagnosed. If we don’t look for nasal valve collapse in these patients, we’re not addressing the entire problem. By providing an intuitive and effective way to support nasal lateral cartilage, LATERA has the potential to improve breathing for our patients,” said Dean Toriumi, MD, professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and past president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (AAFPRS).
Pablo Stolovitzky, MD, clinical assistant professor at Emory Universityand past chairman of the Board of Governors of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS), was among the first physicians to perform a LATERA case in the US. He noted, “LATERA is an important development for nasal obstruction patients when a standard procedure treating the septum and turbinates is often not enough. LATERA provides us with a minimally-invasive solution to support nasal lateral cartilage. I was able to place the implant on my first attempt, and I expect that the physician learning curve will be short.”
Product info: Latera Absorbable Nasal Implant…
Via: Spirox…