title: The use of intra-nasal splints: a consultant survey.
abstract: A questionnaire was sent to all United Kingdom consultants enquiring about their use of intra-nasal splints. 301 (70%) consultants replied. The commonest reason given for use of nasal splints was to try to prevent the formation of adhesions. Flat, pre-shaped silicone rubber splints were by far the most frequently used type. 64% used splints routinely for operations involving both walls of the nasal cavity. Just over one-third of respondents never or 'rarely' (less than 1 in 50 cases) used splints for procedures involving both walls of the nasal cavity. They reported an adhesion rate of 5.2% which was only 1.3% greater than that reported by those who always or 'sometimes' (at least 1 in 10 cases) used splints. Comments from some respondents and review of the literature suggests that early out-patient review with the use of nasal toilet is an effective alternative to using nasal splints in the prevention of intranasal adhesions.
authors.affiliation: Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Pringle
mesh_terms: D003253:Consultants; D006801:Humans; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013165:Splints / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000517:prevention & control