[The effect of suturing technique and nasal packing on oxidative stress in septoplasty operations]

We investigated the effect of nasal packing or suturing of the nasal septum after septoplasty on oxidative stress.

The study included 37 patients who underwent septoplasty for isolated septal deviation. At the end of the operation, intranasal packing was used in 18 patients (5 women, 13 men; mean age 30+/-10 years; range 18 to 47 years), and nasal septal suturing was used in 19 patients (5 women, 14 men; mean age 31+/-12 years; range 18 to 54 years). Nasal packs were removed after 48 hours. Plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDH), total sulphydryl content (SH), and nitric oxide (NO) were measured at four sequential times to evaluate oxidative stress.

There were no significant changes in plasma levels of MDH, SH, and NO in both treatment groups (p>0.05). Levels of MDH and NO did not differ significantly at four sequential times between the two treatment groups, whereas postoperative SH levels were always significantly higher following septal suturing (p<0.05).

High levels of SH observed in the suturing group favor this technique over nasal packing application in terms of antioxidant systems and oxidative stress.