The role of intranasal splints in the prevention of post-operation nasal adhesions

Abstract

IntroductionIntranasal splints, which are widely used following nasal surgery, were first described by Salinger and Cohen in 1955. While the first splints were fashioned from any suitable material such as strips of X-ray film or even the polythene tops of coffee cans (Wright, 1969), a variety of preformed splints are now available including ingenious devices which maintain pressure on the septum by using inbuilt magnets (Goode, 1982). Splints were initially introduced to support the reconstructed septum, but since then have also been advocated as a means of holding septal grafts in place following dermatoplasty or grafting of septal perforations (Goode, 1982), and they have been used as a means of securing haemostatic packs in place in the treatment of anterior epistaxes (Fischer etal., 1981). Their important role in the prevention and treatment of intranasal adhesions has been pointed out by Gilchrist (1974).

Effects of Silicone Nasal Septal Splints and a Polyvinyl Alcohol Sponge After Septoplasty on Postoperative Pain and Pain During Pack Removal

“…Septal suture is recommended as an alternative to packing. There are literatures reports that septal sutures is better in terms of postoperative pain and complications and that there is no need to use splints (2,9,10,13,14,(20)(21)(22)(23). Some of these studies have been conducted before the 2000s; today, thin, flexible, integral airway, and comfortable silicone splints are used.…”

A randomised clinical trial of turbinectomy for compensatory turbinate hypertrophy in patients with anterior septal deviations

“…In view of the complications associated with nasal packing subjecting patients randomized to the septal surgery‐only arm to packing in the absence of proven benefit would be unethical. 5 On the other hand leaving the patients randomized to turbinectomy without nasal packing or splints in the knowledge of the advisability of these precautions to reduce complications, 11,13 would also be unethical. The scientific validity of the study would have been improved if these constraints did not exist.…”

Healing of the nasal septal mucosa in an experimental rabbit model of mucosal injury

“… 24 The role of silastic sheets in obtaining these effects has been debated. While Campbell et al 25 reported that a silastic splint was effective in preventing intranasal adhesion, Cook et al 26 reported no clear advantage. In a randomized double-blinded controlled trial by Jung et al, 27 a silastic splint revealed a significant positive effective in preventing postoperative adhesion after septoplasty.…”