The use of topical 5% lignocaine ointment for the relief of pain associated with post-operative nasal packing.
Packing of the nasal cavity remains a common routine precautionary measure following septal surgery. The nasal pack and its removal 24 h later are often cited by patients as the most painful aspects of septal surgery. We present the results of a randomized, prospective controlled trial of the use of topical 5% lignocaine ointment as a method of pain relief following post-operative nasal packing. Post-operative pain as measured using a visual analogue scale at 3 h post-operatively was halved in patients receiving a lignocaine impregnated nasal pack compared with those having a standard vaseline gauze pack (P < 0.05). Pain scores at 6 h post-operatively and at pack removal were also reduced, but these failed to reach significance. No patients suffered reactionary haemorrhage. The use of topical lignocaine ointment is safe and may have a place in the relief of pain due to post-operative nasal packing.
Department of Otolaryngology, North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary, UK.
M J
MJ
Kuo
H
H
Zeitoun
M
M
Macnamara
K
K
Wagstaff
W V
WV
Carlin
N
N
Turner
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015508:Nasal Obstruction; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000700:Analgesics; D008012:Lidocaine