[Calcium alginate as a nasal pack].

Alginates are highly absorbent, gel-forming materials with haemostatic properties. The aim of this study was to compare calcium alginate to Telfa as a postoperative nasal pack in a prospective randomised clinical trial. Eighty two patients entered the trial. There were 55 males and 27 females whose ages ranged from 13 to 74 years (mean 34.7 years). Immediate postoperative bleeding was controlled in all cases irrespective of the pack used. There was no difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups. Calcium alginate is a safe and effective alternative to Telfa as a postoperative nasal pack.