title: The effects of the time of intranasal splinting on bacterial colonization, postoperative complications, and patient discomfort after septoplasty operations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The main reason for nasal tampon placement after septoplasty is to prevent postoperative hemorrhage, while the secondary purpose is internal stabilization after operations involving the cartilaginous-bony skeleton of the nose. Silicone intranasal splints are as successful as other materials in controlling postoperative hemorrhages of septal origin. The possibility of leaving the splints intranasally for extended periods helps stabilize the septum in the midline. However, there is nothing in the literature about how long these splints can be retained inside the nasal cavity without increasing the risk of infection, postoperative complications, and patient discomfort.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The current study aimed to evaluate the association between the duration of intranasal splinting and bacterial colonization, postoperative complications, and patient discomfort.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients who had undergone septoplasty were divided into three groups according to the day of removal of the silicone splints. The splints were removed on the fifth, seventh, and tenth postoperative days. The removed splints were microbiologically cultured. Early and late complications were assessed, including local and systemic infections, tissue necrosis, granuloma formation, mucosal crusting, synechia, and septal perforation. Postoperative patient discomfort was evaluated by scoring the levels of pain and nasal obstruction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant difference was found in the rate of bacterial colonization among the different groups. Decreased mucosal crusting and synechia were detected with longer usage intervals of intranasal silicone splints. Postoperative pain and nasal obstruction were also diminished by the third postoperative day.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Silicone splints were well tolerated by the patients and any negative effects on postoperative patient comfort were limited. In fact, prolonged splint usage intervals reduced late complications. Long-term silicone nasal splint usage is a reliable, effective, and comfortable method in patients with excessive mucosal damage and in whom long-term stabilization of the bony and cartilaginous septum is essential.
authors.affiliation: Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Ear Nose and Throat Clinic, Istanbul, Aksaray, Turkey. Electronic address: akrts2000@yahoo.ca.
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karatas
authors.affiliation: Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul, Aksaray, Turkey.
authors.forename: Filiz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pehlivanoglu
authors.affiliation: Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Ear Nose and Throat Clinic, Istanbul, Aksaray, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salviz
authors.affiliation: Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul, Aksaray, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nuray
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kuvat
authors.affiliation: Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Ear Nose and Throat Clinic, Istanbul, Aksaray, Turkey.
authors.forename: Isil Taylan
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Cebi
authors.affiliation: Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Ear Nose and Throat Clinic, Istanbul, Aksaray, Turkey.
authors.forename: Burak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dikmen
authors.affiliation: Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul, Aksaray, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gonul
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sengoz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000601:surgery*; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery*; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D013165:Splints / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013630:Tampons, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Conforto do paciente; Nasal splint; Patient comfort; Septoplastia; Septoplasty; Splint nasal