QUILTING, AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO NASAL PACKING, OUR EXPERIENCE AT A GOVERNMENT DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN NORTH INDIA

Abstract

We aimed to study the efficacy of transseptal suturing in patients undergoing septoplasty and to compare the surgical outcome and complications of transseptal suturing with nasal packing. We c o n d u c t e d a p r o s p e c t i v e , c o m p a r a t i v e , randomized study in Deen Dayal Upadhyaya hospital New Delhi from July 2016 to May 2017.A total of 60 patients with symptomatic Deviated nasal septum within age group of 18 to 60 years were included in our study. All these patients underwent septoplasty and were randomly divided into two group of nasal packing and transseptal suturing. Patients were interviewed and assessed for nasal pain, nasal bleeding, epiphora, dryness of mouth, sleep disturbances. Mean Pain score using VAS was 8 in nasal packing group and 2.3 in transseptal suturing group in 48 hours observation period, moreover mean score of 8 on VAS was observed during pack removal in nasal packing group. None of the patient in transseptal suturing group underwent nasal bleeding thus none of them required add on nasal packing.100% patients in medicated gauze nasal packing group presented with epiphora, headache, sleep disturbances, and dryness of mouth in 48 hours observation period, whereas none of the patient in transseptal suturing group presented with such symptom. None of the patient in either group presented with postoperative septal perforation, synechiae foramation, crusting, s t t h septal haematoma during 1 and 4 week diagnostic nasal endoscopy. Even with limited resources of a government district hospital we were able to conclude transseptal suturing as better and efficient method to minimize the sufferings of patients undergoing septoplasty. KEYWORDS Quilting, Transseptal suturing, Septoplasty