The effect of the titanium butterfly implant on nasal patency and quality of life

Abstract

Objective: The titanium butterfly implant seems to be a powerful technique to repair nasal valve insufficiency. However, the effect of these implants on nasal patency and quality of life has been controversial due to a lack of evidence. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the objective and subjective effect of the titanium butterfly implant on nasal patency and corresponding quality of life. Methods: Nasal patency and quality of life of 32 patients undergoing a titanium butterfly implant were evaluated by measuring peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) and completing three validated questionnaires: the NOSE, SNOT-22 and GBI, before surgery, six weeks and six months after surgery. Results: The mean PNIF increased significant after 6 weeks, as well as after 6 months. Both the NOSE and SNOT-22 questionnaire scores showed a significant decrease at both post-operative measurements. The GBI indicated a significant increase at 6 weeks and 6 months. There were no significant differences between both of the post-operative measurements. Conclusion: This is the first study indicating that the titanium butterfly implant provides a significant and clinically relevant increase in nasal patency and corresponding quality of life in patients with nasal valve insufficiency.

Titanium Implants in the Nose: State of the Art

“…12 van den Broek and van Heerbeek found that the titanium butterfly implant (Breathe Implant) provides a significant and clinically relevant increase in nasal patency and corresponding quality of life in patients with nasal valve insufficiency. 13 Other foreign material in the nose have caused a multitude of problems leading to infection, exposure, or extrusion. Unfortunately, an American titanium implant "Monarch Graft" imitating a butterfly graft caused several of these problems.…”

From prevention to optimal treatment in chronic rhinosinusitis

“…Promising novel surgical options emerge for patients with nasal valve dysfunction and medium-sized septal perforations. In a series of 32 patients (6) , the butterfly titanium implant showed significant improvement of breathing, even with 28 out of 32 patients having had previous nasal surgery. Santamaria-Gadea et al (7) propose a modified simple and extended nasal floor and inferior meatus flap for the reconstruction of small and medium-sized septal perforations.…”

Promising Implants in Rhinoplasty

“…This study had no reported complications at median follow-up of 14 weeks. 34 In a study by àWengen et al of 31 patients who underwent septal implantation of the Breathe implant, there was a mean reduction of 53% in NOSE scores and mean improvement in rhinomanometry of 189 cm 3 /sec postoperatively at 3 to 9 months. All titanium septal implants remained in the nose at an accumulated 544 months.…”