Is nasal packing really required after septoplasty?
OBJECTIVE
Septoplasty is one of the most common operations performed by otorhinolaryngologists. Nasal packing is not an innocuous procedure. The most common problem encountered by the patients after septoplasty is the pain and discomfort during removal of the nasal packs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the results of septoplasty without postoperative nasal packing.


METHODS
Septoplasty was performed by standard technique. No nasal packing was used in these cases.


RESULTS
Seventy-eight patients were included in the study. The majority of the patients (64.1%; 50/78) on a morning list were operated. Sixty-two patients were discharged home the same day, the remaining others were discharged the next day. Our postoperative haemorrhage rate was 7.7% (6/78) and only 3.8% (3/78) patients required nasal packing. Majority (84.6%) of the patients were satisfied with the operation at the postoperative follow up 3 months later.


CONCLUSIONS
Septoplasty can be safely performed without postoperative nasal packing. Only 3.8% patients required nasal packing in this study.
Bajaj
Y
Y
Department of ENT, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK. ybajaj@hotmail.co.uk
Kanatas
A N
AN
Carr
S
S
Sethi
N
N
Kelly
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D001458:Bandages; D004844:Epistaxis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D055815:Young Adult