Nasal silicone splints and quilting sutures using a septum stitch device following septoplasty: a prospective comparative study.

PURPOSE: Although nasal splints and trans-septal sutures are preferred for septal closure following septoplasty, quilting sutures, also known as continuous mattress sutures, are technically challenging and thus time consuming. Recently, the utility of a novel stitch device was demonstrated for quilting sutures; however, whether it contributes to the technical solution and time management of septal sutures remains unclear. This study aims to quantify the time and cost of septal closure following septoplasty by comparing nasal splints with quilting sutures using the septum stitch device.
METHODS: We prospectively examined 23 patients who underwent septoplasty and assigned them to the following two groups: group 1, underwent the quilting suture for septal closure following septoplasty; group 2 underwent the nasal silicone splint method. We recorded the total operation time and surgical time for septal closure. Furthermore, we evaluated postoperative symptoms with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores and compared the complication rate.
RESULTS: We observed no significant difference in the average of total operating time (P = 0.641) and the surgical time for septal closure (P = 0.886). Among postoperative symptoms, only nasal bleeding was significantly worse in group 1 on postoperative day 1 (P = 0.023). In addition, the occurrence of postoperative complications was insignificant between both groups.
CONCLUSIONS: The septum stitch facilitated safe and easy quilting suturing without significant increase of operation time.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes