Efficacy of topical levobupivacaine in control of postoperative pain after septoplasty.
OBJECTIVE
To search the efficacy of using Merocele (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) soaked with 5 mL of levobupivacaine hydrocloride as a nasal pack in control of postoperative pain after septoplasty.


METHODS
The study was designed as a prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled study. Forty-one patients who underwent septoplasty operation were included in the analysis.


METHODS
A tertiary referral hospital in Turkey.


METHODS
Forty-one patients undergoing septoplasty were divided into two groups. At the end of the operation, Merocele packs were placed inside the nasal cavity. In the levobupivacaine group, each Merocele pack was soaked with 5 mL of levobupivacaine hydrochloride (25 mg/10 mL), and in the control group, Merocele packs were soaked with 5 mL of saline.


METHODS
Postoperative pain levels were recorded using a visual analogue scale (VAS score, 0-100) at 30 minutes and 1, 2, 8, 12, and 24 hours.


RESULTS
We did not find any significant difference between groups regarding age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists status, and body mass index. Postoperative VAS values at 30 minutes and 1, 2, 8, and 12 hours were significantly lower in the levobupivacaine group compared with the control group (p < .05). The need for supplemental analgesia was significantly lower in the levobupivacaine group compared with the control group (p < .01).


CONCLUSIONS
Postoperative pain after septoplasty owing to nasal packing is an important problem, and using levobupivacaine-soaked Merocele as a nasal pack after septoplasty is an effective method for the control of this pain. It is a very easy, effective, and quick method and it improves patient comfort after septoplasty.
Yilmaz
Süleyman
S
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Düzce University, Düüzce, Turkey. dryilmazsuleyman@yahoo.com.
Kocaman Akbay
Buket
B
Yildizbaş
Sahnur
S
Güçlü
Ender
E
Yaman
Hüseyin
H
Yalçin Sezen
Gülbin
G
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000077554:Levobupivacaine; D008297:Male; D009296:Nasal Cavity; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery*; D009667:Nose Deformities, Acquired / Q000601:surgery*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000077554:Levobupivacaine; D002045:Bupivacaine