Patent ID: 8092478

Claim:
A method for maintaining nasal passages open after nasal surgery, wherein the nasal passages are prone to obstruction by bodily fluids, the method comprising: (a) initially cleaning at least some of the bodily fluids from the nasal passages after the nasal surgery; (b) providing a post-operative device comprising a first tubular member comprising a first proximal end and a first distal end, and a second tubular member comprising a second proximal end and a second distal end, wherein the first proximal end is connected to the second proximal end with a bridging member, and the post-operative device is splintless; (c) inserting the first distal end and the second distal end into nostril openings and through the nasal passages to a location where the first proximal end and the second proximal end each protrude beyond the nostril openings of a patient; and (d) positioning the first distal end and the second distal end at an entrance to a patient's throat.