title: The impact of different nasal packings on postoperative complications.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to find out if there is any association between the use of nasal packings and nasal synechia formation, septal perforation, postoperative infection and epistaxis in patients who underwent septoplasty and concha reduction operations.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary referral center. One hundred thirty patients were randomly selected among patients who underwent endonasal surgery in Namık Kemal University Hospital between January 1st 2012 and August 1st 2013. Retrospective analysis of these patients' files, including operative reports and follow-up notes, was done. The postoperative findings of patients who had septal splints and Merocel nasal packings were compared and analyzed for statistical significance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of the study showed a statistically significant difference in the frequency of synechia formation between two groups (p<0.05). The frequency of synechia formation was found to be higher in the Merocel packing group. However, no statistically significant difference was found between groups in terms of postoperative infection, septal perforation, and epistaxis (p>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that intranasal splints are superior to Merocel nasal packings in terms of preventing nasal synechia formation. Insertion of a septal splint after nasal surgery should be preferred to avoid this complication. On the other hand, other factors should be sought in the etiology of postoperative infection, septal perforation, and epistaxis.
authors.affiliation: Namık Kemal University, Medical Faculty, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tekirdağ, Turkey. Electronic address: drmahmutdeniz@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Mahmut
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Deniz
authors.affiliation: Namık Kemal University, Medical Faculty, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tekirdağ, Turkey. Electronic address: zaferciftci@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Zafer
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ciftçi
authors.affiliation: Namık Kemal University, Medical Faculty, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tekirdağ, Turkey. Electronic address: isikaklime@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Aklime
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Işık
authors.affiliation: Namık Kemal University, Medical Faculty, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tekirdağ, Turkey. Electronic address: dr.oralburakdemirel@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Oral Burak
authors.initials: OB
authors.lastname: Demirel
authors.affiliation: Namık Kemal University, Medical Faculty, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tekirdağ, Turkey. Electronic address: egultekin@nku.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Erdoğan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gültekin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004844:Epistaxis / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D059747:Nasal Surgical Procedures; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013165:Splints; D013630:Tampons, Surgical
chemical_list: D006490:Hemostatics; D005557:Formaldehyde; C027490:polyvinyl alcohol formaldehyde foam; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol