Comparison of suture and nasal packing in rabbit noses

The study aimed to detect the changes in adult rabbit nasal septal tissues after application of nasal pack or trans-septal suture as performed during septoplasty.

Randomized double-blind animal study.

Thirty-three adult albino Vienna rabbits were assigned into the following groups: control, suture, and nasal pack. The mucoperichondrium at one side of the nasal septum was elevated and then put into place again over the cartilage and fixed with either a nasal pack or an absorbable trans-septal suture. The nasal packs were removed 48 hours after insertion. Rabbits were killed 6 weeks after the procedure. The nasal septa were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and examined by means of light microscopy for mucosal changes (inflammation or damage) and for thicknesses of the mucosa, the perichondrium, and the cartilage.

Both intranasal packs and sutures caused significant mucosal inflammation and damage when compared with the control group (chi test, P <.05). The mucosal thickness did not change, but the perichondrial thickness for both the nasal pack group and the suture group increased (Mann-Whitney U test, P <.05). Also, the septal cartilage thickness was not significantly different between the suture and the nasal pack groups, but the suture group had a thinner septal cartilage than the control group (Mann-Whitney U test, P <.05).

The septal suture is an efficient and useful method for clinching the septal flaps over the septal cartilage. In addition, it has nearly the same effects as nasal packs on the histological appearance of the nasal septum and does not cause discomfort for the patient. The septal suture can be a preferred alternative to intranasal packing.