Aerin Medical Inc., a company dedicated to providing Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) physicians with non-invasive solutions for the treatment of chronic nasal conditions, supports the recent American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) position statement.
The statement recognizes nasal valve repair as “a distinct surgical procedure that can improve nasal obstruction symptoms for appropriately selected patients.” The Academy notes that office-based techniques, including radiofrequency treatment, can stabilize the nasal valve, optimize nasal valve collapse (NVC) patient outcomes, and be performed either as a standalone procedure or in combination with other procedures to potentially avoid multiple surgeries.
The AAO-HNS statement recognizes that NVC can be a significant contributing factor to nasal airway obstruction (NAO) and failure to treat NVC when indicated often results in incomplete symptom resolution.
Appropriate patients who can benefit from NVC repair can be identified by using the Cottle or modified Cottle maneuver with subjective improvement in nasal breathing. Furthermore, AAO-HNS notes that NVC is a structural issue that cannot effectively be handled with medical treatment (i.e., intranasal steroids) nor by certain complementary surgical procedures for NAO (i.e., septoplasty, turbinate reduction).
“We thank the AAO-HNS leadership for its advocacy on behalf of otolaryngologists in identifying and treating nasal valve collapse to optimize patient outcomes,” said Matt Brokaw, CEO of Aerin Medical. “Nasal airway obstruction is one of the primary reasons a patient visits an ENT physician, and we hope that this enables ENTs to treat nasal valve collapse with minimally invasive solutions when it contributes to nasal obstruction.”
About VivAer
Aerin Medical’s VivAer, a non-invasive, temperature-controlled radiofrequency technology, is an effective and durable option for repair of NVC, which often lowers quality of life due to symptoms including nasal congestion, sleep disturbance, daytime sleepiness, and snoring. VivAer has been used in more than 60,000 patients in the United States and treatment is covered by Medicare and other insurance plans when considered medically necessary.
Earlier this year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) assigned physician and facility payment for a new Category I Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code that includes the use of VivAer to repair NVC when performed in the office and outpatient surgical settings.
VivAer features a thin, wand-like stylus that attaches to a console. The stylus is inserted via the nostril to gently remodel the nasal tissue and improve airflow. VivAer does not involve any cutting, freezing, or removal of nasal tissue or bone.
Treatment with VivAer may be performed during an office visit under local anesthesia. Patients typically experience little discomfort with minimal downtime and are often able to return to normal activities following treatment.* The VivAer Stylus received CE Mark in 2016 and FDA 510(k) clearance in December 2017.
For more information, visit www.VivAer.com
