BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare eustachian function and blood gas changes with nasal packing (NP) and nasal septal suturing (NSS) after septoplasty. METHODS: Eighty patients who have nasal septal deviation and who otherwise are healthy were studied. Forty of these patients had finger glove NPs in their nasal cavities for 48 hours after septoplasty. Another 40 patients had NSS performed after septoplasty. Acoustic tympanometry and pH, P(CO2), and P(O2) analyses of arterial blood were performed preoperatively and 48 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: We observed a statistically significant increase in middle ear pressure (p < 0.001) and a significant reduction of P(O2) (p < 0.001) and increase of P(CO2) (p = 0.041) in the NP group but no difference in the NSS group, postoperatively. CONCLUSION: NSS should be preferred as an alternative to intranasal packing.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare eustachian function and blood gas changes with nasal packing (NP) and nasal septal suturing (NSS) after septoplasty. METHODS: Eighty patients who have nasal septal deviation and who otherwise are healthy were studied. Forty of these patients had finger glove NPs in their nasal cavities for 48 hours after septoplasty. Another 40 patients had NSS performed after septoplasty. Acoustic tympanometry and pH, P(CO2), and P(O2) analyses of arterial blood were performed preoperatively and 48 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: We observed a statistically significant increase in middle ear pressure (p < 0.001) and a significant reduction of P(O2) (p < 0.001) and increase of P(CO2) (p = 0.041) in the NP group but no difference in the NSS group, postoperatively. CONCLUSION: NSS should be preferred as an alternative to intranasal packing.