Reduced haemorrhage during external medial orbital wall decompression with nasal packing containing vasoconstrictive...

In retrocaruncular medial decompression, the incision is small relative to the depth of the surgical space, and haemorrhage may obscure vision. Measures that minimise bleeding are most important to improve visualisation and facilitate the procedure. Despite this, there is no consensus regarding the effect of nasal packing with a vasoconstrictive agent. The aim of this study was to see if haemorrhage during external medial decompression could be reduced by nasal packing.

A randomised, non-blinded, prospective study in which patients listed for orbital medial wall decompression at St Erik Eye Hospital, Sweden, were recruited. Patients were randomised to receive either nasal packing with a 4%+0.02% Cocaine Hydrochloride-Adrenaline solution or the control group. Intraoperative bleeding was quantified by weighing the suction device before and after the procedure.

A total of 46 medial orbital wall decompressions in 37 patients were included in the final analysis. The treatment group, which received nasal packing, demonstrated significantly reduced intraoperative bleeding compared with the control group (median 9.40 g vs 30.10 g, p<0.001). No surgical complications or postoperative infections were reported.

This study demonstrated a highly significant reduction in perioperative bleeding during retrocaruncular medial decompression when nasal packing with a vasoconstrictive agent was used (p<0.001). The main limitation of this study is the potential variability between surgeons. However, a post hoc test (p=0.75) and interaction analysis (p=0.63) did not reveal any differences between surgeons. In summary, nasal packing with a potent vasoconstrictor offers a simple, effective means to reduce intraoperative bleeding during external medial wall decompression and can thereby be an easy way to facilitate this surgical procedure and reduce the risk of complications.