A survey of postoperative nasal packing among UK ENT surgeons.
Packing of the nasal cavity following routine nasal surgery is a common but controversial practice. We aimed to evaluate nasal packing practices among UK ENT consultants for common nasal operations. A questionnaire was sent to 648 consultant ENT surgeons regarding their packing practice in patients undergoing nasal surgery. Data were collected regarding rhinology subspecialty interest, number of nasal operations performed per year, likelihood of packing for six common nasal procedures, and types of pack used. In all, 282 (43.5%) replies were received. Fifty-four (78.3%) rhinologists claimed to perform >100 nasal operations per year versus 64 (31.8%) non-rhinologists (P < 0.005). For specific operations, there was a universal trend towards less routine packing (>70% frequency) in the rhinologist group (P < 0.005). Surgeons who specified a subspecialty interest in rhinology packed significantly less often than the non-rhinologists for common nasal operations. There was great variation in the type of pack favoured by different surgeons.
ENT Department, Royal United Bath Hospital, Bath, UK. costa@repanos.com
Costa
C
Repanos
Stephen E
SE
McDonald
Amir H
AH
Sadr
D000464:Alginates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001458:Bandages; D001729:Bismuth / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003625:Data Collection; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006406:Hematoma / Q000517:prevention & control; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D006847:Hydrocarbons, Iodinated / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery; D010577:Petrolatum / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013630:Tampons, Surgical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000517:prevention & control; D006113:United Kingdom; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D000464:Alginates; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006490:Hemostatics; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D006847:Hydrocarbons, Iodinated; C045757:bismuth iodoform paraffin paste; C103734:jelonet; D005557:Formaldehyde; C027490:polyvinyl alcohol formaldehyde foam; D010577:Petrolatum; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol; D001729:Bismuth