Septoplasty Instruments: Building a Nasal Septum Instrument Set

Core septoplasty instrument set contents

A septoplasty set is built around exposure, mucosal elevation, cartilage and bone work and closure. The surgeon needs a good light source or headlight, a nasal speculum, suction, elevators for the mucoperichondrial flap, cutting instruments and suture materials. Most surgeons also use a knife with a small blade for the initial incision.

Because the nasal cavity is narrow, instruments are slim and long, with fine tips. A typical set is kept compact so that it can also be used for turbinate and minor nasal procedures.

Before finalising the list, ask your surgeons about their preferred way of working: some prefer a headlight with a speculum, others an endoscope. Endoscopic septoplasty needs a rigid nasal endoscope and a camera system in addition to the set described here, and this affects what else is bought for the room.

• Nasal specula (Killian, Cottle, Hartmann)
• Elevators (Cottle, Freer type) for flap elevation
• Septum scissors and cutting forceps
• Chisels and osteotomes for bony septum
• Fine suction tubes and forceps
• Needle holder and suture scissors

Nasal speculum Killian and other specula

The nasal speculum Killian is a long-bladed speculum designed to open the nasal passage deep enough to see the septum after the mucosal incision. The Cottle speculum is another pattern used in septal surgery, and the Hartmann is the classic short speculum for anterior rhinoscopy. Blade length and spread are the main selection criteria.

REDA of Tuttlingen lists Hartmann, Killian and Cottle nasal specula in its ENT instruments range. A department should keep several lengths to suit different nasal sizes and to allow for different surgical depths.

Cottle elevator, septum forceps and chisels

The Cottle elevator is the key tool for lifting the mucoperichondrium off the cartilage and bone. It has a sharp end for starting the dissection and a blunt, broader end for continuing it. Fine, smooth edges matter, since a rough elevator can tear the mucosa and cause perforations.

REDA's range includes septum elevators, nasal rasps, rhinoplasty chisels and osteotomes, and Blakesley-type forceps. Jansen-Middleton septum forceps are a traditional cutting pattern for the cartilage and bony septum; since not every catalogue lists every pattern, confirm the exact list with the supplier. For related surgery, see our articles on rhinoplasty instruments and the osteotome guide.

Quality checks and reprocessing

Inspect tips, edges and joint action under magnification. Elevators should have smooth edges without nicks; scissors should cut cleanly; forceps jaws should meet. Narrow instruments with long shafts bend easily, so check that shafts are straight and rigid.

Clean lumens of suction tubes with brushes and flushing, dry thoroughly and sterilize by steam following manufacturer instructions and ISO 17665 practice. Protect fine tips in storage.

Keep count of small items, because nasal packing materials and fine instruments can be left behind. A clear tray list and a count at the start and end of the case are standard practice for ENT lists.

Planning and sourcing in the UAE

ENT departments usually combine septoplasty with other nasal procedures, so plan a nasal set that can be extended with modules rather than buying separate sets. Our ENT instruments overview shows how the pieces fit together.

Confirm product registration with the relevant UAE authority. Beckfinity's specialists can prepare a quotation for a septoplasty set from the REDA catalogue.