Comparison between Gelfoam packing and no packing after endoscopic sinus surgery in the same patients

After functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), nasal packing may be necessary and a packing material which has benefits in both cost and efficacy would be required. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of Gelfoam packing on hemostasis and wound healing after FESS. Patients who underwent bilateral FESS due to chronic bilateral rhinosinusitis were enrolled. Randomly, one side was selected for Gelfoam packing and the other side for no packing. Subjective symptoms and objective findings such as synechia, granulation, pus discharge, edema, stenosis, and crust were evaluated. A total of 21 patients (17 men and 4 women; mean age 39.7 years ranging from 12 to 75 years) were included. There were no statistical significant differences between two groups regarding both subjective symptoms and objective findings during 4 months after surgery. Three patients had postoperative bleeding in the no packing side. Gelfoam packing may be recommendable in terms of efficacy and cost-benefit after FESS.