Kilner Alae Retractor, Sharp Prongs, 13 mm and 9.5 mm
$ 12.50
Kilner alae retractors hold the nostril rim back on two sharp prongs so the surgeon can see into the alar base and the vestibule behind it. Catalogs and surgeons write the name both ways, alae and alar, and buyers type the second far more often than the first. Our own record carries two prong widths, 13 mm and 9.5 mm, and the wider one spreads the hold across more of the rim while the narrower one works in a smaller nostril.
Key Features
- Two sharp prongs, for holding the nostril rim rather than a mucosal surface
- Two prong widths on this pattern, 13 mm and 9.5 mm
- Used on the alar margin, the lower lateral cartilage and the external nasal skin
- Also written and searched as a Kilner alar retractor, which is the same instrument
- Used in rhinoplasty, cleft lip repair, ENT and maxillofacial surgery
- High quality medical grade stainless steel, autoclavable and made to be used again
- Three year replacement warranty against manufacturing defects
What the kilner alae retractor is
The kilner alae retractor holds the nostril rim back on two sharp prongs so the alar base and the vestibule behind it can be seen. It is named after Thomas Pomfret Kilner, one of the surgeons who built British plastic surgery, and our own record carries it in two prong widths, 13 mm and 9.5 mm.
Alae is the plural of ala, the wing of the nose. Catalogs write the name both ways and buyers type the other one far more often, which is worth saying here because it is the same instrument either way.
Two sharp prongs hold the rim itself. That is a different job from holding the tissue behind the rim, and it is why a blunt pattern will not do it.
Key design features of the kilner alar retractor
Four features, and the widths are the ones that decide which you order.
- Two sharp prongs. The rim is held on two points, so it cannot rotate off under tension.
- Two prong widths. 13 mm and 9.5 mm on our own record.
- Short shank. The kilner alar retractor works at the nostril, not deep inside it.
- Flat handle. Keeps both points in the same plane while the rim is held.
Kilner alae retractor sizes
Two prong widths ship from this page, and both figures are on our own product record.
| Pattern | Prong width | Prongs | What it suits | Item code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kilner alae retractor | 13 mm | Two, sharp | A wider nostril, and spreading the hold across more rim | AP-53.13 |
| Kilner alae retractor | 9.5 mm | Two, sharp | A smaller nostril, and cleft work where the rim is short | AP-53.13 |
No overall length is stated here, because our record does not carry one. Other catalogs list this pattern at lengths of their own and none of them is repeated on this page. Ask and it will be measured.
Where an alae retractor is used
An alae retractor is a nostril rim instrument, and the list below is where that matters.
| Specialty | What the kilner alae retractor is used for |
|---|---|
| Rhinoplasty | Holding the nostril rim back for a view into the alar base |
| Cleft lip repair | Holding the alar margin on the cleft side while the base is released and fixed |
| ENT and rhinology | Alar and vestibular exposure through the nostril |
| Facial plastic surgery | Alar base reduction and nostril margin procedures |
| Maxillofacial surgery | Midface and nasal base work |
| Nasal reconstruction | Holding a rim that has been rebuilt or moved |
| Revision work | Two points spread the pull on a rim that has been operated on before |
What this sharp prong alar retractor holds, and what it does not
A sharp prong alar retractor is defined by the tissue it is safe on, so the limits are set out here rather than left to be discovered.
| Structure | How the prongs take it |
|---|---|
| The alar margin | The tissue this pattern exists for. Held on two sharp points |
| The nostril rim | Fixed in its plane rather than allowed to rotate |
| Lower lateral cartilage | Exposed once the rim is held |
| External nasal skin | Held where a flap has to come under tension |
| The alar base | Held while it is marked and cut |
| Nasal mucosa | NOT this instrument. A sharp point goes through mucosa. Use a blunt ball ended pattern |
| The nasal dorsum | NOT this instrument. Use a blade retractor such as the Aufricht |
How it compares with the rest of the nasal family
Four of the rows below are our own. The difference between them is almost always the tip and the tissue, not the handle.
| Pattern | How it differs | When you reach for it instead |
|---|---|---|
| Cottle retractor, sharp 2 prong | Sharp prongs at 15 cm, made for the skin flap | Holding the flap rather than the rim |
| Cottle nasal retractor hook | A single blunt ball end | Mucosa, and anything that must not be pierced |
| Nasal tenaculum hook | Two sharp prongs in a V at 6, 7 and 9 mm | Traction on soft tissue rather than a hold on the rim |
| Cottle alar nasal retractor | A contoured blade rather than points | Alar exposure where a blade suits better than a hook |
| Converse alar retractor | A different alar pattern we do not stock | Named so the comparison is complete |
| Joseph double hook | A general skin hook rather than a rim instrument | Skin edges away from the nostril |
Materials and finish
Made from high quality medical grade stainless steel, satin finished so the operating light does not reflect off the shank into the surgeon eye. The steel itself is made to a German specification. The two points are ground and then checked against each other, because prongs of unequal length hold the rim on one point and tear it.
Care and sterilization
Clean with a soft brush under running water, working between the prongs and the junction of prongs and shank where tissue collects, then rinse in deionized water and dry fully before autoclaving. Store in a rack or a tip guard so nothing rests on the points. A blunted or bent prong turns a two point hold into a one point hold silently, so check both points against the light before the instrument goes back into the set.
Ordering a kilner alae retractor and wholesale
Adas Instruments makes this pattern to order in both prong widths. Buyers searching for the kilner alae retractor or for the same instrument written as a Kilner alar retractor will find it here under one pattern. We supply hospitals, surgical centers and distributors across the United States, Latin America, Europe and Asia, bulk and wholesale pricing is available, and instruments held on backorder ship in 10 to 12 working days. Every instrument carries a three year replacement warranty against manufacturing defects. Certifications: CE. Production is controlled under an ISO 13485 quality management system.
Frequently asked questions
What is the alae of the nose?
Alae is the plural of ala, the Latin for wing, and in the nose it means the curved outer wall of each nostril. The alar rim is its lower margin. An instrument named for the alae is one that works on that rim, which is exactly what this retractor does.
Is a Kilner alae retractor the same as a Kilner alar retractor?
Yes, the same instrument under two spellings of the same anatomical word. Alae is the plural form and alar is the adjective. Most buyers type the second one, so both are used on this page and both bring you to this pattern.
Which prong width should I order?
13 mm spreads the hold over more of the rim and suits a wider nostril; 9.5 mm works in a smaller one and in cleft work where the rim is short. Both figures are from our own product record rather than from a catalog somewhere else.
What is it used for in cleft lip repair?
Holding the alar margin on the cleft side while the base is released, positioned and fixed. The rim in that work is short, asymmetric and under tension, which is the case a two point sharp hold is made for.
Can it be used on mucosa?
No. Sharp points go through mucosa rather than holding it. For a mucosal flap take a blunt ball ended pattern instead, which presses against the tissue and slides off before it tears it.
Related products and categories
Buyers who order the kilner alae retractor usually order alongside it the nasal tenaculum hook, the aufricht walter nasal retractor and the cottle nasal retractor hook. The whole family sits in hooks and retractors, and this pattern is also listed under rhinoplasty instruments.
| Weight | 0.05 kg |
|---|---|
| Tip options | 13mm wide, 9.5mm wide |
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