Effectiveness of Nasal Packing in Trans-septal Suturing Technique in Septoplasty: A Randomized Comparative Study.

Abstract

Nasal packing is routinely used after septoplasty, but there are patient factors for which its use needs to be reconsidered. Effectiveness of nasal packing in trans-septal suturing technique in septoplasty. Prospective, comparative study, patients submitted to septoplasty were randomized to receive or not nasal packing postoperatively. Comparison in postoperative status for pain, headache, discomfort in swallowing, epiphora, bleeding, infection and pain on pack removal are assessed. In all the patients trans-septal suturing technique was used. Study group has 60 patients. Two groups were made group A in whom nasal packing done post operatively with merocel, group B in whom nasal packing was not done, in both groups quilting sutures were applied on to the septum. There was pain in nose and headache in all the patients in group A. Other symptoms in group A were epiphora, discomfort in swallowing due to ear discomfort. In addition to these there is pain on removal of packs. Routine use of nasal packing can be avoided instead sutures can be placed over the septum, which benefits in improving pain and symptoms due to pack in the postoperative period.