Microbiological and Histopathological Effects of Nasal Packing Containing Probiotics on Nasal Mucosa

Nasal packing is frequently used after surgical interventions to prevent bleeding and synecchia formation and for the treatment of diseases such as epistaxis. One of the most morbid complications of nasal packing applications is the toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Owing to the microbiological structure of nasal mucosa, antibiotics are administered to all patients who are applied nasal packages for prevention of TSS.

The aim of this study is the evaluation of microbiological and histopathological changes taking place in nasal mucosa with nasal packing containing probiotics.

Three groups were formed with 6 rats in each group. The nasal packings with the same characteristics were applied to nasal cavities of rats in all 3 groups. In group 1, only nasal packs were used. Probiotics or parenteral antibiotics were not used. In group 2, parenteral antibiotics were used along with nasal packs. In group 3, nasal packs with probiotics containing Lactobacillus strains were applied. No parenteral antibiotics were used. After 3 days packages were removed and nasal cavity was irrigated with saline. Both packages and irrigation materials were analyzed for microbiological content. After scarification, nasal and paranasal structures were examined for histopathological changes.

In group 3 statistically the total bacteria load was significantly lower in comparison to the other groups. However, in the histopathological evaluation of the mucosa of rats in group 3, bleeding and inflammation findings were significantly higher statistically.

It has been determined that the total microbiological load significantly decreases with the application of packing containing probiotics. So, the use of probiotics along with nasal packings is promising to prevent unnecessary use of medications.