Spirox, Inc. announced the LATERA Absorbable Nasal Implant following its FDA clearance. LATERA provides ENTs and facial plastic surgeons with a minimally invasive option to support the upper and lower lateral nasal cartilages. Weak lateral cartilage can result in nasal valve collapse, an important, but often undiagnosed, issue affecting those undergoing nasal obstruction procedures.

Nasal airway obstruction can be caused by several factors, including septal deviation, enlarged turbinates, and weakened upper and/or lower lateral nasal wall cartilage leading to nasal valve collapse.

“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).

Prior to these U.S. cases, a multi-center clinical study conducted in Germany showed that patients that received a LATERA implant alone experienced a reduction in nasal obstruction symptoms at one year, with results in the range of more invasive techniques and without a cosmetic downside.

“We have worked with physician leaders to find a solution to a major clinical need. The research and development behind the innovation is complex, but the technique is elegant and intuitive,” said Duke Rohlen, Spirox chief executive officer.