Another Advantage of the Transseptal Suture

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of transseptal suturing against 3 different types of nasal packings with respect to pain, operating time, and postoperative complications after nasal septal surgery. Two hundred twenty-eight patients (aged between 18 and 58 y) undergoing nasal septal surgery were included in the study. After surgery, 4 types of nasal packing were used: (1) transseptal suturing (group A: 57 patients), (2) internal nasal splint (group B: 57 patients), (3) Merocel standard 8-cm packing without airway (group C: 57 patients), and (4) soft paraffin gauze dressing (group D: 57 patients). Regarding the mean operating time, there was no statistically significant difference among groups B, C, and D (P > 0.05). However, when the operating times observed in the said 3 groups were compared with those observed in group A, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The mean (SD) postoperative pain score within 1 to 48 hours was 2.9 (1.3; median, 2) in group A, 6.3 (1.4; median, 6) in group B, 7.5 (1.1; median, 7) in group C, and 7.7 (1.8; median, 7) in group D. Starting from the postoperative 48th hour, internal nasal splint, Merocel packing, and soft paraffin gauze dressing were significantly more painful compared with transseptal suturing (P < 0.05). When compared with the other groups, extubation period and postoperative care unit stay were shorter in the transseptal suturing group (P < 0.05). Regarding infection, hematoma, synechia, or perforation, there was no statistically significant difference among the groups (P > 0.05). Transseptal suturing technique is a useful alternative to packing, with only a minor increase in operating time. Particularly, transseptal suturing shortens extubation time and postoperative care unit stay.