Effect of nasal packs on nasal obstruction and complications of septoplasty

Abstract:

Objective: We aimed to compare the use of Merocel nasal packs and airway integrated silicone nasal septal splints in the management of postoperative complications such as synechia formation, septal perforation, recurrent deviation and to evaluate nasal obstruction by using Nose Obstruction Symptom Evaluation scale following septoplasty.

Methods: Ninety-six patients who complained of nasal obstruction and underwent septoplasty under general anesthesia were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomly allocated into two groups as Group A (Merocel group) and Group B (silicone splint group). A follow-up visit was scheduled two months after surgical procedure and four different variables were investigated: (1) recurrent deviation (2) synechia (3) septal perforation; and (4) Nose Obstruction Symptom Evaluation scale score.

Results: We found more frequent postoperative complications in the Merocel group but this finding was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Additionally comparison of Nose Obstruction Symptom Evaluation scale scores for nasal packing materials did not detect statistically significant difference between 2 groups (p>0.05). Interestingly, we identified that in a subset of patients who had synechia formation, Nose Obstruction Symptom Evaluation scale scores had been significantly higher in comparison with the patients without synechia formation (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Although our data did not reach statistical significance, our study and previous reports support a better quality of life by using intranasal splints, but that needs further studies.