Unblocking the nose by unplugging the ear: the use of foam ear defenders as a splint following secondary cleft rhinoplasty.

OBJECTIVE

The functional and aesthetic result from secondary cleft rhinoplasty is commonly impaired by a bulge in the lateral nasal vestibule, which can relapse in the postoperative period despite careful intraoperative correction. We aim to improve our results by using a foam ear defender as a postoperative splint to prevent relapse.

DESIGN

Case series of 10 patients with photographs of a typical clinical case.

INTERVENTIONS

The postoperative nasal pack was exchanged with a foam ear defender on day 5. The splint was worn continuously for 3 to 4 weeks, then nightly for 3 months. The splint was changed daily by the patient.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The results were assessed clinically by the senior author.

RESULTS

The patients had little or no recurrence of the lateral vestibular bulge following nasal splintage.

CONCLUSIONS

Foam ear defenders are a simple, cheap, and comfortable method to provide splintage to the nasal vestibule following secondary cleft rhinoplasty.