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Does post-operative nasal packing cause nocturnal oxygen desaturation?
J G Buckley1, S A Hickey, A F Fitzgerald O'Connor
1E.N.T. Department, St. Thomas Hospital, London.
The Journal of Laryngology and Otology
|February 1, 1991
Summary
Nasal packing after surgery does not cause clinically significant oxygen desaturation during sleep, despite causing a minor, statistically significant drop in oxygen saturation. This finding is important for understanding post-operative recovery and sleep quality.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Sleep Medicine
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Nasal occlusion is known to increase apnoeic episodes during sleep.
- Post-operative nasal packing is a common procedure following nasal surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if post-operative nasal packing causes oxygen desaturation during sleep.
- To assess the clinical significance of any observed changes in oxygen saturation.
Main Methods:
- Continuous digital pulse oximetry monitoring was performed.
- Measurements were taken before and after nasal packing in patients undergoing septoplasty.
- A cohort of 17 healthy patients was studied.
Main Results:
- Post-operative nasal packing resulted in a statistically significant change in oxygen saturation during sleep.
- The magnitude of oxygen saturation change was small.
- The observed changes were deemed unlikely to be clinically significant.
Conclusions:
- Nasal packing after septal surgery does not lead to clinically significant oxygen desaturation.
- While a minor statistical effect on oxygen saturation exists, it does not impact patient health during sleep.