title: Cotton-tipped applicators used in surgery of the nose.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A variety of uses have been described for cotton-tipped applicators.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We describe an additional application in surgeries involving the nose. This technique uses 8-inch obstetrics-gynecology applicators with oversized cotton tips, unlike most articles, which report the use of 6-inch applicators with smaller cotton heads. The applicators function to stabilize and support the nasal structures and thus provide a steadier operating field.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It can be used in procedures of the nose, including curettage, electrocautery, hemostasis, and Mohs and other surgical excisions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA. knouri@med.miami.edu
authors.forename: Keyvan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nouri
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Ballard
mesh_terms: D032561:Cotton Fiber; D003880:Dermatology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D015580:Mohs Surgery; D009669:Nose Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*