Advantages of Gloved Finger–Coated Polyvinyl Acetate Pack in Partial Inferior Turbinate Surgery

Abstract

Objectives: Nasal packing is commonly used to control postoperative bleeding in patients undergoing inferior turbinate surgery. During packing removal, patients usually undergo severe pain and bleeding. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of glove finger-coated polyvinyl acetate (PA) pack on hemostasis, pain levels, and wound healing after partial inferior turbinectomy. Methods: A prospective, randomized, double-blinded controlled study was conducted on 30 patients undergoing partial bilateral inferior turbinectomy using microdebrider for hypertrophic rhinitis. Fifteen patients (control group) had both nasal cavities packed with PA pack (Merocel; Medtronic Xomed, Jacksonville, FL) and another 15 subjects (experimental group) had their nasal cavities packed with PA in a glove finger. Pain levels were assessed by patients on a visual analog scale 12 hours after surgery and at the time of packing removal. The amount of bleeding on removal was quantified by weighing it after removal. Results: Both nasal packs effectively prevented postoperative bleeding. However, bleeding on packing removal was statistically less frequent and less severe with PA pack in a glove finger ( P = .004). In addition, pain was statistically lower with PA pack in a glove finger than with PA pack alone ( P = .001). There was no significant difference in the outcome measure of wound healing. Conclusions: PA packing in a glove finger is a recommendable method in terms of pain, bleeding on packing removal, compared with PA pack only.