Background
Anterior nasal packing (ANP) after nasal surgeries usually causes significant pain and discomfort. Up to the best of our knowledge, there is no evidence accepted for the optimum duration of post-operative ANP.
Objectives
To determine the optimum duration for ANP in patients undergoing common nasal surgeries associated with the least discomfort and complications.
Patients and methods
A prospective randomized clinical study carried out in Benha University Hospital from November 2018 to August 2019. Included 150 patients who underwent common nasal surgeries; submucosal resection of the nasal septum andor inferior turbinoplasty or functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Patients were allocated into four groups; A, B, C and D according to duration of the ANP (6, 12, 24 and 48 hours respectively). The groups compared regarding pain during removal of the pack, epiphora, dysphagia and sleep disturbances, bleeding, infection, septal hematoma, septal perforation, crustations, and adhesions.
Results
Mean pain score was significantly lower in-group A and higher in-group D. Incidence of epiphora, and sleep disturbances before pack removal was significantly lower in group A and higher in group D regardless the type of surgery while it was not significant regarding dysphagia. Bleeding, infections, crustations, hematoma, adhesions and septal perforations showed non-significant statistical difference between the four groups.
Conclusion
Early removal of ANP is significantly associated with better patient's comfort and less pain and does not increase incidence of other complications. |
