The benefits of hypopharyngeal packing in nasal surgery: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Hypopharyngeal packs are used in nasal surgery to reduce the risk of aspiration and postoperative nausea and vomiting. Side effects associated with their use range from throat pain to retained packs postoperatively.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate, as a pilot study, postoperative nausea/vomiting and throat pain scores for patients undergoing nasal surgery in whom a wet or dry hypopharyngeal pack was placed compared with patients who received no packing.


METHODS
A randomized, double-blind prospective trial in a general ENT unit.


RESULTS
The study failed to show a statistically significant difference between the three groups in terms of their postoperative nausea/vomiting and throat pain scores at 2 and 6 h postoperatively. This is the first study in which dry packs have been compared with wet and absent packs.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on our findings, the authors recommend against placing hypopharyngeal packs for the purpose of preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting.
Department of ENT, South Infirmary and Victoria Hospital, Old Blackrock Road, Cork, Ireland. bfennessy@rcsi.ie
B G
BG
Fennessy
S
S
Mannion
J B
JB
Kinsella
P
P
O'Sullivan
D000932:Antiemetics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007013:Hypopharynx; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013630:Tampons, Surgical
D000932:Antiemetics