A case against nasal packing.

Nasal packing is included in most technical descriptions of septal and rhinoplasty surgery with little accompanying discussion of its indications and possible pitfalls. We believe that routine nasal packing is not an innocuous step. There are certain specific indications for its use but these are uncommon. We suggest that exclusion of packing is a wiser alternative in routine procedures. Over 800 cases of nasal surgery have been reviewed with fewer than 9% requiring packing. The indications for such packing are described as are the alternatives. Problems and complications attendant with its routine use are explored.