Killian vs Cottle Nasal Speculum: Differences and Uses
Instrument guides
Killian vs Cottle Nasal Speculum: Differences and Uses
How the Killian and Cottle nasal specula differ, which blade length suits which part of the nose, and the insulated, fiber optic and coated versions we make.
Both are hand held nasal specula with spring blades that open the nostril. The difference that matters is blade length. Short blades open the vestibule and the front of the nose for examination and the start of an operation. Long blades, the Killian's strength, reach past the front of the septum to show the posterior septum during septoplasty. We make the Cottle and the Killian in several blade lengths at 14 cm overall, plus the broader bladed Vienna and the Tieck Halle.
Who were Killian and Cottle?
Gustav Killian was a German laryngologist working at the turn of the twentieth century, better known to many for pioneering bronchoscopy. In rhinology he is remembered for "his well known incision and speculum", as Prowse and Makura put it in their 2012 review of Killian in The Journal of Laryngology and Otology. He is also credited with the longer nasal speculum, and with Otto Freer he promoted submucous resection of the septum from 1899 onward, an operation that needs a clear view deep inside the nose.
Maurice H. Cottle (1898 to 1981) was an American surgeon and teacher of nasal surgery. After a course he gave at Johns Hopkins in 1954 he founded the American Rhinologic Society, according to the society's own history. Many septal and rhinoplasty instruments carry his name, the speculum among them.
Which nasal specula do we make, and in what sizes?
| Pattern | Overall length | Blade lengths | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cottle | 14 cm | 35, 75 or 90 mm | General examination and rhinoplasty |
| Cottle, black Ti series | 14 cm | 35, 50 or 75 mm | You want less glare under theatre lights |
| Killian | 14 cm | 35, 50, 75 or 90 mm | You need a view of the posterior septum |
| Killian, insulated | 14 cm | 35, 50, 75 or 90 mm | Electrocautery is used inside the speculum |
| Killian, fiber optic | 14 cm | 35, 50, 75 or 90 mm | You want light carried to the blade tip |
| Cottle, fiber optic | Illuminated examination with the Cottle pattern | ||
| Vienna | 14 cm | 24, 30 or 34 mm, broad blades | A wide view of the front of the nose |
| Tieck Halle | 13.5 cm | 18 mm | A short speculum for the vestibule |
On our product pages the blade options are listed as numbered sizes, for example No. 1 with a 35 mm blade. Overall length stays 14 cm while the blade length changes.
How do the Killian and the Cottle differ in use?
- Reach. The long Killian blades go further into the nose and hold the septal flaps apart during septoplasty. Choose 75 or 90 mm for that.
- Everyday use. A shorter Cottle or a Vienna is easier to place for examination and for the front of the nose.
- Width. The Vienna has broader blades than the Cottle, so it opens a wider window over a shorter distance.
- A practical set often holds one short speculum for examination and one long Killian for septal work.
When do you need an insulated, fiber optic or coated speculum?
Insulated blades have a non conductive coating so current from an electrosurgical tip used inside the nose is not carried into the tissue the blades touch. Inspect the coating before every use and retire the instrument if it is chipped. Fiber optic specula carry light from a standard cable to the blade tip, which helps when a headlight cannot reach deep in the nose. You will find them with our other fiber optic tools. The black Ti series has a titanium nitride coating that cuts glare from bright theatre lights.
How should a nasal speculum be cleaned?
Open the blades fully to rinse and brush the inside faces and the spring, where mucus dries first. On fiber optic models, wipe the light port and check that light passes before sterilizing. Never leave instruments in saline. See our instrument care guide and the CDC guidance on cleaning instruments before sterilization.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Killian nasal speculum used for?
Its long blades give a view deep into the nose, which is why it is used in septoplasty and septal surgery.
What blade length should I choose?
35 or 50 mm for examination and the front of the nose. 75 or 90 mm when you need to reach the back of the septum.
Is the Cottle speculum self retaining?
No. Like the Killian, it is held in the hand and opens with a spring. It stays open only while you hold it.
Can a fiber optic speculum be autoclaved?
Ours can. Check that light passes before and after each cycle, and replace the instrument if it dims.
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Build a nasal set
See every pattern in our nasal speculum range, and pair it with the right nasal rasp. For a full rhinoplasty set, send us your list and we will send you a quote.