Nasal Septal Chain Suture: A New Suturing Technique.

Abstract

As a new technique for suturing the nasal septum, the nasal septal chain suture has been described in this study, and compared with nasal packing and the quilting suture technique in terms of patient comfort after septoplasty. A total of 75 patients were evaluated in 3 groups: Merocel nasal packing group, absorbable quilting suture group, and nonabsorbable nasal septal chain suture group. The symptoms of these patients were evaluated using the nasal obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE) scale and rhinomanometry measurements. The NOSE scale values were significantly higher on the postoperative 1st and 3rd days in the nasal packing group (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). The nasal resistance was significantly lower (P = 0.011) and the nasal airflow significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the suture groups on the postoperative 3rd day. The use of nasal packing was found to shorten the surgery duration significantly (P < 0.001), while there was no difference between the 2 suture groups (P = 1.000). There was significantly severe pain during the removal of the nasal packing when compared to the nasal septal chain suture removal (P < 0.001), but there was no difference in the bleeding (P = 0.460). Overall, nasal septal sutures significantly improve patient comfort during the postoperative period, when compared to nasal packing, with an earlier return to nasal respiration. The nasal septal chain suture that has been described in this study for the first time can be an alternative to nasal packing and the nasal septal suture techniques currently in use, since both absorbable and nonabsorbable materials can be used, it is easy to remove, and there is no pain during the suture removal.