title: The Effects of Nasal Packing and Transseptal Suturing After Septoplasty on Olfactory Function, Patient Comfort, and Mucociliary Clearance.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study compared the effects of nasal packing and transseptal suturing after septoplasty by evaluating olfactory function, pain, and mucociliary clearance.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study enrolled 39 patients diagnosed with isolated septal deviation. The patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups. In Group A (n = 21), transseptal sutures were placed for septal stabilization after the septoplasty. In Group B (n = 18), both nasal passages were packed with Merocel tampons after the septoplasty. It was made Sniffin Sticks test, sacchranirine test, and pain and discomfort scales preoperatively, 1 week postoperatively and 3 months postoperatively on all patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no postoperative bleeding, submucoperichondrial haematoma, or abscess formation in either group. The postoperative discomfort and pain scores were increased in Group B (the packing group) in our study, the mucociliary clearance improved after septoplasty in both groups, and there was no significant difference in mucociliary clearance between the 2 groups. The odor threshold, odor identification, and odor discrimination were significantly increased 3 months postoperatively, but not 1 week postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nasal packing causes more discomfort and pain than transseptal suturing, while there was no significant difference in olfactory functions or the mucociliary clearance after septoplasty between nasal packing and transseptal suturing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Istanbul Gaziosmanpasa Taksim Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dalgic
authors.forename: Abdulhalim
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Is
authors.forename: Mehmet Emre
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Dinc
authors.forename: Seckin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ulusoy
authors.forename: Mehmet Özgür
authors.initials: MÖ
authors.lastname: Avinçsal
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kulekci
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001458:Bandages; D005260:Female; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000601:surgery; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery*; D009667:Nose Deformities, Acquired / Q000601:surgery*; D000070659:Patient Comfort; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000009:adverse effects; D012903:Smell; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects; D013537:Sutures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013630:Tampons, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006490:Hemostatics; D005557:Formaldehyde; C027490:polyvinyl alcohol formaldehyde foam; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol