The comparison of trans-septal suture, Merocel nasal packing and septal splint following septoplasty combined with inferior turbinate surgery
Arzu Tatar1, Özgür Yörük1, Zahide Koşan2, Fatma Atalay1
1Atatürk Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Kulak Burun Boğaz Anabilim Dalı, Erzurum, Türkiye
2Atatürk Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Halk Sağlığı Anabilim Dalı, Erzurum, Türkiye
Keywords: Merocel nasal packing, nasal splint, partial inferior turbinectomy, radiofrequency thermal ablation, septoplasty, trans-septal suture.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the efficacy of nasal splint, Merocel nasal packing and trans-septal suturing applications in septoplasty combined with inferior turbinate surgeries in the prevention of postoperative pain and complications.
METHODS: Between January 2014 and October 2015 a total of 180 patients (129 male, 51 female; mean age 31.32±10.27 years; range 18 to 55 years) for which septoplasty concurrent with inferior turbinate surgery was planned were included in this study. Following septoplasty, patients were divided into two equal groups to apply Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation (RFTA) and Partial Inferior Turbinectomy (PIT). Both patient groups were separated into three subgroups in themselves to apply nasal splint, Merocel packing and trans-septal suturing, so that each group would have 30 patients. The duration of surgery, minor and major hemorrhage, postoperative pain evaluated at the 6th hour, on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd day, and postoperative complications in the 6th week (septal perforation, hematoma, infection, crusting, nasal synechiae) were compared.
RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in research parameters except for the postoperative pain in three subgroups applied splint, Merocel packing, and trans-septal suture after RFTA concurrent with septoplasty surgery. Although nasal synechia developed in five patients who were applied Merocel packing, in six patients who were applied trans-septal suture and in one patient who was applied splint in the group in which PIT was performed, the difference between synechiae and other research parameters was statistically insignificant. The highest level of postoperative pain was determined in the Merocel packing groups, and the lowest level was determined in the groups that were applied trans-septal suture at the groups in which splint, Merocel packing, and trans-septal suture were applied.
CONCLUSION: The preference of splint use in septoplasty combined with PIT surgeries to Merocel packing and the preference of trans-septal suture application in septoplasty combined with RFTA surgeries to Merocel nasal packing will contribute to the prevention of pain, discomfort and complications caused by Merocel packing and to providing patients with a more comfortable postoperative period.