title: Do silicone nasal septal splints with integral airway reduce postoperative eustachian tube dysfunction?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to compare the effects of Merocel nasal packs and silicone nasal septal splints with integral airway on the ventilation and pressure of the middle ear when applied intranasally after septoplasty for isolated septal deviation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, randomized trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  A tertiary referral center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-one patients who underwent septoplasty for nasal respiratory impairment caused by septal deviation were randomized into 2 groups. After septoplasty, bilateral anterior Merocel nasal packs were applied in one group, while silicone nasal septal splints with integral airway were applied in the other group. Middle ear pressures were compared using preoperative and post-operative tympanometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pathological decrease in the middle ear pressure in at least 1 ear was determined in 17 patients (73.9%) in the Merocel group compared with only 6 patients (21.4%) in the silicone nasal septal splint group at the 48th postoperative hour. In the first 24 hours following surgery, decreases in tympanometric pressures were seen in both groups, but more in the Merocel group. After 24 hours, middle ear pressures continued to decrease in the Merocel group but started to increase in the silicone nasal septal splint group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because they allow inhalation through the nose and cause less Eustachian tube dysfunction than Merocel, using silicone nasal septal splints with integral airway instead of packing after septoplasty seems a more reasonable option.
authors: Ministry of Health, Sakarya Education and Research Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Sakarya, Turkey. yilmazms@gmail.com
authors: M Sinan
authors: MS
authors: Yilmaz
authors: Mehmet
authors: M
authors: Guven
authors: Deniz Gin
authors: DG
authors: Buyukarslan
authors: Recep
authors: R
authors: Kaymaz
authors: Unal
authors: U
authors: Erkorkmaz
mesh_terms: D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D000328:Adult; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000494:pharmacology; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D009667:Nose Deformities, Acquired / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000494:pharmacology; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012828:Silicones; D013165:Splints; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006490:Hemostatics; D012828:Silicones; D005557:Formaldehyde; C027490:polyvinyl alcohol formaldehyde foam; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol