Study finds long-term relief from nasal obstruction using VivAer device

VivAer device offers long-term relief from nasal obstruction: ©Matthieu - stock.adobe.com

Aerin Medical Inc. announced new data showing that its VivAer procedure continues to provide long-term relief for patients suffering from nasal airway obstruction caused by nasal valve collapse, with benefits sustained three years after treatment.

Results from the AERWAY clinical study, published in OTO Open, confirmed that the minimally invasive VivAer procedure offers durable symptom improvement, a low rate of reintervention, and no serious safety concerns.

“These long-term results reinforce VivAer’s potential as a safe and effective long-term solution for patients experiencing nasal airway obstruction,” said William C. Yao, associate professor at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston and principal investigator of the study. “Providing sustained symptom relief through a durable, minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgery may elevate the standard of care available to our patients.”

The AERWAY study followed patients at 12 U.S. sites who were treated with temperature-controlled radiofrequency energy delivered by the VivAer device. At three years post-procedure:

83.3% of patients were classified as responders, with a 52.6% improvement in average NOSE (Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation) scores.

Only 3.2% of patients required a second procedure on the nasal valve.

No serious device- or procedure-related side effects were reported.

The VivAer device uses a thin, stylus-like instrument inserted through the nostril to gently remodel nasal tissue and improve airflow—without cutting, tissue removal, or implants. The procedure can typically be performed in a doctor’s office under local anesthesia.

“With 20 peer-reviewed publications to date, the growing body of evidence continues to build confidence among physicians treating nasal valve dysfunction,” said Scott Wolf, founder and chief medical officer of Aerin Medical. “These findings further validate VivAer as a consistently effective solution supported by high quality evidence.”

VivAer received FDA clearance in 2017 and CE Mark approval in 2016. Aerin Medical, based in Sunnyvale, California, focuses on developing non-invasive treatments for chronic nasal conditions.

How NAO treatments are changing

In recent years, the treatment landscape for nasal airway obstruction (NAO), particularly due to nasal valve collapse (NVC), has undergone significant transformation. Traditionally managed through invasive surgical procedures like functional rhinoplasty, advancements now offer patients less invasive, office-based alternatives with promising outcomes.

Devices like VivAer deliver low-energy radiofrequency to the nasal valve area, remodeling tissue to enhance airflow.

Complementing TCRF therapy, bioabsorbable implants such as LATERA have emerged as viable options. These implants provide structural support to the lateral nasal wall, addressing NVC without the need for traditional grafting techniques. Clinical evaluations have shown significant reductions in NOSE scores, indicating improved patient outcomes.

Further expanding the non-surgical repertoire, hyaluronic acid injections have been explored for internal nasal valve collapse, particularly post-rhinoplasty. A prospective study indicated that such injections led to substantial improvements in both subjective and objective measures of nasal obstruction, with effects lasting up to a year.