A Novel Nostril Retainer Designed by a Patient

Abstract

The importance of using a nostril retainer to prevent collapse in congenital (cleft lip/nose deformity) or acquired nostril stenosis is well established [1]. In addition to standard silicon retainers, use of various types of retainers, including suction tubes [2], nasogastric tubes [3], silicon urinary catheters [4], or custom-made retainers made from the rubber part of an infusion set, has been reported in the literature [5]. Many of these retainers were devised for congenital cleft lip/nose cases and their use in adults is not easy. We report on a nostril retainer that was developed by a 72-year-old male patient (an industrial engineer) from a paper clip and can be used in adult patients. He reported that he designed the retainer because he was unable to keep standard silicon nostril retainers in his nose for a longer period of time (Fig. 1). Compared to all other retainers discussed in the literature, the paper-clip retainer occupies the least intranasal space. This presents a significant