Killian’s Nasal Gouge

This instrument is part of the septoplasty set.

The Killian’s nasal gouge is bayonet shaped – that is, its shaft is bent so that the tip lies on a higher plane than the handle. This feature ensures that the hand holding the instrument does not obstruct vision and the surgeon can visualize the tip of the instrument inside the nasal cavity.

The tip of the instrument is V-shaped and very sharp. This feature helps remove spurs and sharp projections during septal surgeries.

This is a mallet (or hammer) used along with the gouge.

Uses

The instrument is used in septoplasty to remove spurs. It is especially useful to remove a deviated maxillary crest.

The wedge-shaped tip is placed at the beginning of the spur or bony projection in the septum. With the instrument in place, its handle is tapped gently with the mallet as the gouge cuts through the bony projection which is then removed with nasal dressing forceps.

More information

• Spurs are horizontal projections in the septum often formed at bony cartilaginous junctions that may cause nasal obstruction.
• The maxillary crest lies at the floor of the nasal cavity. It is sometimes deviated resulting in a large spur near the floor of the nasal cavity.
• Another type of gouge in ENT is the mastoid gouge. Before the introduction of the surgical drill, the mastoid gouge and hammer were used to perform mastoidectomy.

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