title: Influence of nasal sponges on patients' complaints after nasal and sinus surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of nasal sponges on the subjective nasal well-being after nasal and sinus surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was designed as a randomized prospective clinical trial comparing four different types of sponges used as nasal passive humidifiers (NPHs). The 40 participants were blinded to the size and pore structure of the NPHs. The NPHs were applied in both nostrils for 1 hour on the 2nd postoperative day. Subjective nasal sensations were evaluated on a visual analog scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Wearing comfort was rated as satisfactory. Intranasal humidity and feeling of a dry nose were rated as improved after wearing the NPHs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of NPHs may have a positive effect on the patients' perception of nasal obstruction and intranasal humidity. Additional investigations in patients with intranasal dryness are planned to improve patients' complaints.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany. kerstin.wiesmiller@uniklinik-ulm.de
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wiesmiller
authors.forename: Joerg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lindemann
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rettinger
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Leiacker
authors.forename: Ajnacska
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rozsasi
authors.forename: Tilman
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Keck
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015508:Nasal Obstruction; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D025363:Rhinomanometry; D012225:Rhinoplasty