Nasal obstruction is a common complaint faced in clinical practice. Quantifying the exact effect of nasal obstruction on health expenditures and quality of life is challenging; to the individual patient, the impact may be incalculable. As Douglas1 tersely stated, "an adequate nasal airway is a prerequisite not alone to the patient's comfort but to his health." The etiology of nasal obstruction is complex. Numerous anatomic and physiologic factors influence nasal obstruction. During the course of the last century, surgeons have discussed one prominent source of nasal obstruction, the nasal valve.
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