Supernumerary nostril: a case report

Supernumerary nostril is a congenital anomaly that contains additional nostril with or without accessory cartilage. These rare congenital nasal deformities result from embryological defects. Since 1906, Lindsay (Trans Pathol Soc Lond. 57:329-330, 1906) has published the first research of bilateral supernumerary nostrils, and only 34 cases have been reported so far in the English literature.

A 1-year-old female baby was brought to our department group for the treatment of an accessory opening above the left nostril which had been presented since her birth. Medical history was non-specific and her birth was normal. The size of a supernumerary nostril was about 0.2 cm diameter and connected to the left nostril. The right one was normal. Minimal procedure was operated for the anomaly. After 1 year, rhinoplasty was performed for the nostril asymmetry.

At 1 year follow-up, the functional and cosmetic result was satisfactory. In this case, it is important that we have early preoperative diagnosis. Also, it is desirable that we should perform a corrective surgery as soon as possible for the patient's psychosocial growth.