LATERA® Nasal Implant

Latera Combo

LATERA is an absorbable implant easily inserted in the lateral wall of the nose to provide support, prevent nasal valve collapse, and deliver immediate relief to obstructed breathing.

Who are LATERA candidates?

More than 20 million Americans are affected by Nasal Obstruction.

Nasal Obstruction is a condition that limits airflow and makes breathing through your nose more difficult. It is characterized by difficulty breathing at rest and/or while exercising and reduced sleep time or sleep quality.

One of the most common causes of obstruction is Nasal Valve Collapse (NVC). It’s as common a culprit as the deviated septum and enlarged turbinates.

The Cottle Maneuvercottle maneuver

A simple breathing test called the Cottle Maneuver can help assess if you might benefit for LATERA. Pull on your cheek to hold your nostril to the side. If your breathing improves, you may have NVC, but a full assessment from our ENT providers would be required to confirm any diagnosis.

 

What are the benefits of LATERA?

LATERA shows significant quality of life improvement for nasal obstruction patients with lateral wall or nasal valve collapse. While individual results may vary, LATERA patients saw the following improvements:

  • Reduced nasal congestion or stuffiness
  • Less trouble breathing through the nose
  • Improved ability to get enough air through the nose during exercise or exertion
  • Reduced nasal blockage or obstruction
  • Less trouble sleeping

How is LATERA inserted?

The LATERA implant is thinner than a pin and is about an inch in length. It is inserted into the nose during a short in-office procedure.

A small cannula, or tube, is inserted just inside the nostril. When the cannula tip reaches its target, a clear, thin absorbable implant is placed in a supporting position. The cannula is then removed.

There is no downtime from work or activity following placement of the implant. The LATERA implant is covered by most insurance companies and by Medicare.

LATERA Effectiveness

latera survery

Are there risks?

Like any procedure, LATERA comes with risks. Patients may experience temporary symptoms such as mild bruising and inflammation, awareness of the implant, and mild pain or irritation. Other risks include discomfort, infection, reaction to material, and need for the device to be removed.

Patients experience no long-term adverse cosmetic changes with the LATERA implant.