Usefulness of nasal packing with silver-containing carboxy methylated cellulose in endonasal sinus surgery

Silver-containing carboxymethylcellulose fiber dressing (Aquacel®-Ag) has been used to treat burns and ulcers with a large amount of exudate. The aim of this investigation was to confirm whether Aquacel®-Ag has beneficial effects when it is used as nasal packing.

We included 44 patients who underwent bilateral endoscopic sinus surgery due to chronic rhino-sinusitis. Beschitin-F® or Aquacel®-Ag was packed postoperatively into the bilateral middle meatus. Patient's comfort was recorded using a VAS, as well as wound healing, postoperative bleeding and local infection. Postoperative-specific organisms were also evaluated from the removed packing materials located in the middle meatus when they were removed on the 4th day after surgery.

The scores for nasal obstruction and pain were not statistically different in each group. Postoperative bacteriologic studies indicated marked differences. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were predominant and potential pathogens were recovered in a few cases in the Aquacel®-Ag group. In contrast, potential pathogens, including Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenza, and Gram-negative rods, were predominant in the Beschitin-F® group.

The results indicate that Aquacel®-Ag might contribute to hemostasis, wound healing, and patient comfort after endonasal surgery, similar to Beschitin-F®. Additionally, it may have advantages concerning the prevention of postoperative infection.