Custom-Made Nasal Retainer Using Latex Nelaton Urine Catheter After the Cheiloplasty

Abstract

Nasal retainers are common tools used in managing patients with cleft lip. The significance of nasal retainer in preventing nostril collapse or stenosis to maintain a symmetrical nose after the surgical procedures is already well known. We came up with a way to create a nasal retainer using a latex nelaton catheter. Custom-made nasal retainer using latex nelaton catheter was used postoperatively on a 10-month-old infant with median cleft lip after cheiloplasty. In postoperative day 7, her nostrils were large enough for premade silicone nasal retainer to fit. She was discharged with instructions given to use the retainer for 6 months. Custom-made nasal retainer can be used as an alternative to premade nasal retainers for patients with wide columella or small nostril cavities, or who cannot afford premade retainers.

Single Surgeon’s Experience in Repair of Median Cleft Lip: A Case Series of 5 Median Craniofacial Dysplasia Patients

“…The orbicularis oris muscle was approximated and repaired along with the rotation-advancement of the cutaneous and mucosal flap from the lateral segments to complete the upper lip formation. A custom-made nasal retainer using latex nelaton urine catheter was applied postoperatively to prevent nostril collapse and to maintain a symmetrical nose shape 10…”

“…25,26 For prevention of nasal airway collapse, a custom-made nasal retainer with a latex nelaton tube was made and applied because the ready-made nasal stents were too large for the patient's nostrils. 10 One of the main limitations of this study is that it remains a case series of only 5 patients without a control group. However, categorization of the patients into hypoplastic, dysraphia, and hyperplastic malformations according to the degree of median cleft and application of different surgical approaches for each category by an experienced plastic surgeon could become guidance in confronting such rare cases.…”

“…Bilateral vestibular labial mucosal flap may be used to restore the missing nasal septum in a separate stage when the patient’s long-term life expectancy has been determined 25,26. For prevention of nasal airway collapse, a custom-made nasal retainer with a latex nelaton tube was made and applied because the ready-made nasal stents were too large for the patient’s nostrils 10…”

“…A custom-made nasal retainer using latex nelaton urine catheter was applied postoperatively to prevent nostril collapse and to maintain a symmetrical nose shape. 10…”

Nasal Retainer 2.0: A New, Cheap, and Reliable Method to Prepare Custom-made Nostril Retainer for Nasal Reconstruction

“…Our custom-made retainers seem to fit several of these requirements. Oh et al 7 previously described a custom-made nasal retainer using a latex nelaton urinary catheter after a cheiloplasty. These authors illustrated the several benefits of their method, including the adjustable size, the suitable structural features of the latex nelaton catheters and the affordable costs.…”