title: Rapid Rhino versus Merocel nasal packs in septal surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare Rapid Rhino and Merocel packs for nasal packing after septoplasty, in terms of patient tolerance (both with the pack in place and during removal) and post-operative complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients (aged 18-40 years) scheduled for septoplasty were included. Following surgery, one nasal cavity was packed with Rapid Rhino and the other one with Merocel. Patients were asked to record pain levels on a visual analogue score, on both sides, with the packs in situ and during their removal the next day. After pack removal, bleeding was compared on both sides.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean ± standard deviation pain score for the Rapid Rhino pack in situ (4.17 ± 1.78) was less than that for the Merocel pack (4.73 ± 2.05), but not significantly so (p = 0.314). The mean pain score for Rapid Rhino pack removal (4.13 ± 1.76) was significantly less that that for Merocel (6.90 ± 1.67; p = 0.001). Bleeding after pack removal was significantly less for the Rapid Rhino sides compared with the Merocel sides (p <0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rapid Rhino nasal packs are less painful and cause less bleeding, compared with Merocel packs, with no side effects. Thus, their use for nasal packing after septal surgery is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt. ahesham73@yahoo.com
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hesham
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghali
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D020878:Device Removal / Q000009:adverse effects; D004844:Epistaxis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery*; D059747:Nasal Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013630:Tampons, Surgical; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006490:Hemostatics; D005557:Formaldehyde; C027490:polyvinyl alcohol formaldehyde foam; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol