An evaluation of post-operative packing in nasal septal surgery.

The need for nasal packing in septal surgery is not proven though its use is widespread. Post-operative complications, while uncommon, are frequently pack related. Consenting adults were prospectively randomized to one of the following: Vaseline gauze nasal packing or 30 Dexon mucosal suture. All patients were operated on by one surgeon who was made aware of the randomization decision only when the corrective surgery was complete. Details of post-operative morbidity were collected and pain scored subjectively by a visual analogue scale the morning after surgery. The first 50 available pain scales illustrated a difference between the groups (P less than 0.05), means 4 and 3 in the pack and suture group respectively. There was no demonstrable difference in post-operative haemorrhage, adhesions, nasal crusting or mucosal atrophy. The need for nasal packing is not supported.