SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 03, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dr. Jose Barrera (Texas Center for Facial Plastic and Laser Surgery & Endormir Sleep and Sinus Institute) is among the first in Texas to offer the LATERA^® absorbable nasal implant, to address one of the root causes of nasal obstruction which affects more than 20 million Americans.ⁱ Nasal obstruction restricts airflow through the nose and often negatively impacts one’s quality of life.ⁱⁱ Symptoms include nasal congestion, labored nasal breathing, challenges getting enough air through the nose while exercising, and trouble sleeping.ⁱⁱⁱ

Cottle Maneuver

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/64b3f35e-5742-4b1f-828a-49e666dce194

One of the most common causes of nasal obstruction is nasal valve collapse (NVC), which occurs when the lateral (side) wall of the nose collapses inward as a person inhales.^iv,v The LATERA^® absorbable nasal implant supports this lateral cartilage, which may help you breathe better through your nose with significant quality-of-life improvements.ⁱⁱ

Dr. Barrera, recently appointed the fellowship director with the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery now offers this new and innovative nasal implant. “NVC was significantly undertreated because conventional options typically require cartilage grafting from the nose, ear or ribs, carry risk of changing appearance, or do not address the underlying anatomical issue of a collapsed nasal wall,” said Dr. Barrera. “Clinical research shows that the LATERA implant delivers significant nasal obstruction symptom relief by supporting lateral cartilage, the source of the problem. With the addition of the LATERA implant to our armamentarium, we are able to comprehensively address the causes of nasal obstruction. We are proud to be among the first practices to offer LATERA to our patients and believe that it demonstrates our commitment to staying at the forefront of medicine and patient care.”

Dr. Barrera will be offering the LATERA implant at his new offices, which open on October 30^th at 14603 Huebner Road, Building 1, San Antonio, TX, 78230.

“I’m so glad Dr. Barrera recommended LATERA for my NVC. The staff at Facial Plastic Surgery & ENT was great, and Dr. Barrera explained how LATERA works which made me feel confident in choosing it,” said Robert Demel, Dr. Barrera’s patient and LATERA recipient. “I am sleeping and breathing better; my quality of life has improved dramatically.”

LATERA implants have been placed in thousands of patients who had difficulty breathing through their nose due to NVC. Patients were satisfied with their breathing (86%) and appearance (93%) results.^vi

To help determine if you are a candidate for LATERA, you can conduct a simple breathing test, called the Cottle Maneuver. To conduct this self-assessment, pull on your cheek to hold your nostril to the side. If breathing improves, you may have NVC. For a comprehensive exam, contact us at www.dr.josebarrera.com or call 210-468-5426 to discuss your treatment options. You can also learn more about LATERA at www.latera.com. 

About Dr. Jose Barrera
Dr. Jose Barrera, MD completed his education as a graduate with distinction with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biochemisty from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He completed medical training at the University of Colorado where he also earned several awards including the American Association for Cancer Research Scholarship for work on head and neck cancer, the Glaser Research Award for Superior Student Research, the Adler Scholarship, the Chancellor’s Diversity Scholarship, the Regent Opportunity Scholarship, the Louise Coulter Fellowship Award for Basic Research in Pulmonary Medicine. He completed a Residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Colorado. During residency he earned a research grant to study micrometastases in head and neck cancer and was nominated as the Intern of the year. Dr. Jose Barrera, MD went on to serve in Japan as an Otolaryngologist in Tokyo, Japan. While in the Pacific, he earned the Surgeon of the year award two years in a row as well as the coveted Outstanding Achievement in Clinical Research. He was recognized by George Washington University for his cancer research and received the Arthur S. Flemming Scientific Award. Dr. Barrera become a fellowship director with the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery making him one of 50 surgeons training all the Facial Plastic Surgeons in the United States. Dr. Barrera’s practice, Texas Center for Facial Plastic and Laser Surgery & Endormir Sleep and Sinus Institute, boasts a state of the art facility featuring operatives suites, a medical spa facility, laser rejuvenation procedures, and specialization in rhinoplasty, facial rejuvenation, and sleep apnea surgery.

About Nasal Obstruction and Nasal Valve Collapse
Nasal obstruction limits airflow and makes breathing through the nose more difficult. This condition affects more than 20 million Americansⁱ, and is characterized by difficulty breathing at rest and/or while exercising, and reduced sleep time or sleep quality.ⁱⁱⁱ Nasal valve collapse (NVC) is one of the most common causes of nasal obstruction, and occurs as a result of weak nasal cartilage collapsing inward when a person inhales.^iv,v NVC is as prevalent as septal deviation and turbinate hypertrophy among nasal and sinus patients.^vi Patients can self-test for NVC by conducting a simple breathing test, called the Cottle Maneuver. Additionally, the NOSE survey [https://www.entnet.org/sites/default/files/NOSE-Instrument.pdf] will allow doctors to assess the severity of their nasal obstruction symptoms.ⁱⁱ

About LATERA
LATERA^® is an absorbable nasal implant that supports the lateral nasal cartilage (side wall of the nose) to address Nasal Valve Collapse (NVC) and may reduce nasal obstruction symptoms, helping patients breathe better. The nasal implant is inserted through a small incision made inside a patient’s nose. Patients who received the implant reported satisfaction with their breathing (86%) and appearance (93%) results.^vi

For more information about the LATERA device including the indications for use, contraindications and warnings, please see the LATERA IFU [http://www.spiroxmed.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/LATERA_IFU.pdf] on www.latera.com. 

Contact information
Texas Center for Facial Plastic and Laser Surgery & Endormir Sleep and Sinus Institute
14603 Huebner Road, Building 1
San Antonio, TX, 78230
210-468-5426

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References

ⁱ Value calculated based on 2014 US population estimate from US Census and World Bank data in conjunction with incidence numbers cited in Stewart et al. Epidemiology and burden of nasal congestion. Intl J Gen Med 2010; 2010:3 37-45.
ⁱⁱ Rhee et al. Nasal Valve Surgery Improves Disease-Specific Quality of Life. Laryngoscope 115: March 2005.
ⁱⁱⁱ Stewart M G et al. Development and validation of the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2004;130 (2)157- 163.
^iv Constantian MB, Clardy RB. The Relative Importance of Septal and Nasal Valvular Surgery in Correcting Airway Obstruction in Primary and Secondary Rhinoplasty. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 1996 Jul; 98(1): 47.
^v Ricci, et al. Role of Nasal Valve in the Surgically Corrected Nasal Respiratory Obstruction: Evaluation Through Rhinomanometry. American Journal of Rhinology. September-October 2001, Vol. 15, Nov. 5.
^vi Market research is ongoing. Data on file (TR-21076 Spirox NVC Experience). Individual patient results may vary and may include other procedures. Use of the LATERA device in conjunction with other procedures (such as septoplasty and/or turbinate reduction) has not been clinically evaluated. Patient satisfaction results may be attributed to LATERA with other procedures.