Abstract

Objective: To compare and evaluate the efficacy, safety profile as well as subjective influence on the patient with regards to removal of anterior nasal packs after 24 an 48 hours following septoplasty.

Methods:  Prospective randomised clinical study conducted on 104 patients who underwent septoplasty in the ENT Department of a tertiary care Hospital for a total period of 6 months. Anterior nasal packs were removed after 24 and 48 hours in the 2 randomized groups. Post operative complications as well as subjective discomfort levels were compared using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-20).

Results: A small difference in the rate of post operative complications were observed among the two groups with good differences in the subjective discomfort levels.

Conclusions: Early nasal pack removal reduces patients’ discomfort without much increase in the complications.

Keywords: Septoplasty, Polyvinyl Alcohol sponge, Sinonasal Outcome Test-20, Visual Analogue Scale, Acute Discomfort Score.