Optimal time for nasal packing removal after septoplasty. A comparative study

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Surgical Innovation
• Patient Outcomes

Background:

• Nasal septal surgery, or septoplasty, often involves internal nasal dressings to support healing.
• The duration of nasal packing can influence patient comfort and recovery.
• Optimizing nasal dressing protocols is crucial for improving patient experience and surgical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy and subjective discomfort of one-day versus two-day internal nasal dressings following septoplasty.
• To assess the impact of dressing duration on postoperative complications.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, randomized clinical trial involving 75 patients undergoing septoplasty.
• Patients were assigned to either a one-day (24 hours) or two-day (48 hours) internal nasal dressing group.
• Discomfort was measured using a visual analog scale, and postoperative complications were recorded.

Main Results:

• Patients with one-day nasal packing reported significantly lower mean discomfort scores (2.7) compared to those with two-day packing (3.5).
• No increase in the rate of postoperative complications was observed between the two groups.
• The first-day removal of nasal packing led to demonstrably less patient discomfort.

Conclusions:

• One-day internal nasal dressing is a preferable alternative to two or more days of packing after septoplasty.
• This shorter duration offers reduced patient discomfort and enhanced cost-effectiveness.
• The use of one-day dressings does not compromise immediate postoperative safety or increase complication rates.