Praxis of Otorhinolaryngology

İlhan Ünlü1, Ethem Erdal Samim2

1Ankara Meslek Hastalıkları Hastanesi
2Ankara Eğitim Ve Araştırma Hastanesi

Keywords: Nasal packing, septoplasty, transseptal suture.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare the postoperative results of anterior polyvinyl acetate (PVA) sponge nasal packing and transseptal suturing in patients undergoing septoplasty.

METHODS: Between February 2008 and May 2011, 540 patients who underwent septoplasty in our clinic were included. Of these patients, 282 were administered conventional PVA packing, while 258 were administered transseptal suturing. Data related to pain, bleeding, septal synechiae, hematoma and septal perforation were obtained from the medical files. The postoperative pain until the nasal pack was extracted assessed by the visual analog scale.

RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of hematoma, synechiae, perforation and bleeding (p>0.05). Patients who were applied transseptal suturing had a significantly lower level of postoperative pain (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Considering possible advantages and disadvantages of both techniques, the treatment of choice should be based on the experience of the surgeon.