NASAL PACKING AFTER SEPTOPLASTY

A prospective study to compare 3 different types of nasal pack after septoplasty with or without a supplementary turbinectomy has been performed with respect to discomfort and complications caused by the packing and the short-term results evaluated 3 months after operation. Fingerstall packings gave less problems than either Merocel or hydrocortisone-terramycine gauze packs with ventilation tubes. They were easier to remove and were associated with less persistent secretion in the post-operative period. No definite advantage from the patient's point of view has been demonstrated by the use of tubes and nasal packing. An analysis of the nasal patency 3 months post-operatively by peak-flow index and acoustic rhinometry revealed no differences between groups.