Release Date: 2/7/2004 Headline: ARMC surgery helps patients breathe easier   ARMC surgery helps patients breathe easier. A breakthrough surgical procedure is being performed with more frequency at Alamance Regional Medical Center than nearly any other hospital in the country. Facial plastic surgeon, and ear, nose and throat specialist, Dr. J. Madison Clark, helped refine the ‘butterfly’ graft technique while working with a world-renowned facial plastic surgeon in Oregon. The procedure was designed to help patients who can’t breathe through the nose. Clark says, “If you take your fingers and pinch your nose together just above the tip, it’s pretty tough to breathe, that’s how it feels for these patients to breathe.” He describes the graft as an internal “breathe-right” strip inserted just under the patient’s skin. Dr. Clark adds, “Each graft is custom designed from a piece of their ear cartilage. Once in place, it supports the nose from the inside, opening the area air comes through, and allowing them to breathe.” The technique is especially useful for patients who have suffered severe facial trauma, and others who’ve had previous nasal surgery. Dr. Clark says the procedure works best with men, mainly because their facial tissue is thicker and better hides the graft, but he has also had success with female patients. While he performs cosmetic surgery on a regular basis, Dr. Clark says this procedure doesn’t involve changing the appearance of the nose, only making it more functional for the patient. Depending on his schedule, Dr. Clark performs the surgery on several patients a week in ARMC’s operating rooms. He practices at Alamance ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery, which has three locations throughout Alamance County. For more information on the surgery, contact Dr. Madison Clark at 538-1966.