A comparative study between conventional nasal packing versus nasal splint with clip after septoplasty with bilateral reduction of inferior turbinates with bipolar cautery

Abstract

Intranasal splints have evolved over time from 1955, when it was first introduced by Salinger and Cohen, who ABSTRACT Background: Nasal packing is an important step after septal surgeries. Conventional nasal packing with vaseline gauze is associated with significant morbidity. Of late, the nasal splint with clip has been tried as an alternative in an attempt to prevent this morbidity. The aim of our study is to compare post-operative morbidities of conventional nasal packing (using vaseline gauze) and nasal splint with clip following septoplasty and cauterization of inferior turbinates. Methods: A comparative study was conducted on 50 patients who underwent septoplasty surgery with reduction of both inferior turbinates using bipolar cautery. In the postoperative period, patients were assessed for pain, nasal obstruction, head ache and ear complaints. Results: Patients in whom nasal splint with clip were used, were found to have a more comfortable postoperative period when compared to conventional nasal packing, which was found to be statistically significant. Conclusions: Post-operative morbidity has been found to be significantly lower with nasal splint with clip in comparison to conventional nasal packing using vaseline gauze.

Use of Nasal Septal Splint with Clip in Septoplasty: A Retrospective Study

“…The results of their studies have been shown along with the findings of our study [ Tables 1-6]. [13,14] In a study done by Pandurangara et al, [15] post-operative symptoms such as epiphora and sleep discomfort were less in the nasal splint group. In our study, we have found lesser extent of immediate post-operative signs and symptoms with nasal septal splint and clip which is similar to studies done using splints done by other ENT surgeons.…”