Trans-septal Suturing Versus Merocel Nasal Packing: A Post Septoplasty Comparison

It has been observed that nasal packing following septoplasty contributes to co-morbidities like post-operative pain, bleeding and increased duration of hospital stay. Trans-septal suturing has been suggested as a safe and effective alternative with a view to obviate the need for nasal packing and the hence avoid the discomfort associated with it. To compare the outcome of trans-septal suturing technique with merocel nasal packing after septoplasty. This was a prospective comparative study done on 60 patients who underwent septoplasty. The patients were divided randomly into 2 groups, while Group A comprised of patients undergoing Post-operative nasal packing with poly vinyl alcohol sponge (also commercially called Merocel), Group B included patients who underwent nasal septal suturing after surgery. The postoperative pain, hemorrhage and duration of hospital stay were the main parameters that were assessed and a comparison was drawn between the post-operative outcome of two techniques. Post-operative global pain score was 62.18 ± 4.75 in the group A (patients with nasal packing) and 24.73 ± 4.29 (patients with trans-septal suturing) in group B ('p'value was < 0.0001). Post-operative bleeding was noticed in 19 patients (out of 30) in group A, and in 2 patients of group B ('p'value was < 0.0001). 27 out of 30 patients of Group A were discharged on day 2 whereas 24 out of 30 patients of Group B required only 1 day of hospital stay after the surgery ('p' value was < 0.0001). Trans-septal suturing technique reduces the duration of hospital stay, causes lesser post-operative bleeding and pain and is a relatively less painful technique than merocel nasal packing.