Packing of the nasal cavity remains a common routine precautionary measure following septal surgery. The nasal pack and its removal 24 h later are often cited by patients as the most painful aspects of septal surgery. We present the results of a randomized, prospective controlled trial of the use of topical 5% lignocaine ointment as a method of pain relief following post-operative nasal packing. Post-operative pain as measured using a visual analogue scale at 3 h post-operatively was halved in patients receiving a lignocaine impregnated nasal pack compared with those having a standard vaseline gauze pack (P < 0.05). Pain scores at 6 h post-operatively and at pack removal were also reduced, but these failed to reach significance. No patients suffered reactionary haemorrhage. The use of topical lignocaine ointment is safe and may have a place in the relief of pain due to post-operative nasal packing.

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