A novel way of trans-septal splint suturing without nasal packing for septoplasty.

Nasal packing has evolved over the years. Though effective in preventing postoperative bleeding complications, they are associated with significant morbidity and pain. In recent years nasal splints have been used to reduce the duration of nasal packs. The aim of this study is to compare the postoperative results in 200 nasal surgeries where in nasal packing was replaced by trans-septal splint suturing. Two hundred cases of septoplasties were prospectively studied over a period of 5 years at Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences. In 100 cases (group A) nasal packing was done postoperatively whereas in other 100 (group B) trans-septal splint suturing was done. Post operatively patients were followed up in both groups regarding the presence of pain, bleeding, crusting and synechiae for a period of 6 months. Two hundred patients were prospectively studied over a period of 5 years with a male-female ratio of 1.35:1 and the mean age was 31. In group A out of 100 patients followed postoperatively, ten had mild bleeding on second day after pack removal none of which required repacking, 22 patients had mild pain on second and third day, 18 had moderate crusting on day 4, 12 had synechiae after 2 weeks. In group B, out of 100 patients, minimal bleeding was noted in 13 patients on day 1 and 2, mild discomfort was noted in the nose in 34 patients till day 7 (day of splint removal), crusting was noted in six patients, synechiae was noted in one patient. Elimination of pain and discomfort for the patients and absence of complications like synechiae. Also the hospital stay is less than with nasal packing. Therefore, suturing of the nasal septum with a splint after septoplasty should be a preferred alternative to nasal packing.