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Relaxing incision of nostril sill to expand the transnasal transsphenoidal approach: technical note
Daniel L Kim1, Aaron A Cohen-Gadol
1Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine, Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States.
Objective:
The transsphenoidal approach to the pathology of sellar region is a fundamental procedure in the armamentarium of neurosurgeons. Modern practice tends to prefer various transnasal approaches over the more traditional sublabial route. However, the transnasal approach can be limited by small nares, particularly in the pediatric population.
Methods:
We present a simple relaxing incision in the nostril sill to safely and effectively widen the nostril for the transnasal approach.
Results:
The authors have used this technique in 10 pediatric and young adult patients with satisfactory expansion of the transnasal corridor with no cosmetic concerns.
Conclusions:
In our experience, the relaxing incision significantly expands the transnasal corridor and allows easy placement of the self-retaining nasal speculum or endoscopic instruments, is well tolerated by patients, and heals with no cosmetic concerns.
