Effectiveness of Polyvinyl Acetate Sheeted with Carboxymethyl Cellulose as a Packing Material after Septoplasty

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although polyvinyl acetate (Merocel®) has been widely used as a packing material after septoplasty, removable nasal packing can increase patient discomfort, local pain, and pressure. Furthermore, the removal of nasal packing has been described as the most uncomfortable and distressing feature associated with septoplasty. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of polyvinyl acetate with carboxymethyl cellulose sheet (Rhinocel®) nasal packing on patient subjective symptoms, degree of bleeding, hemostasis, and wound healing following septoplasty. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Forty patients with nasal septum deviation requiring septoplasty were included. Following surgery, one nasal cavity was packed with Rhinocel® and the other one with Merocel®. Patient subjective symptoms while the packing was in situ, hemostatic properties, pain on removal, degree of bleeding on removal, duration of hemostasis after removal, postoperative wound healing, and the cost of the pack were evaluated. RESULTS: Although the two types of packing materials were equally effective in controlling postoperative bleeding after septoplasty, Rhinocel® was significantly more comfortable while in situ and less painful on removal than Merocel®, which was associated with significantly more bleeding on removal and so more time was needed to control hemorrhage. There was no significant difference in postoperative wound healing or pack cost. CONCLUSIONS: The use of Rhinocel® after septoplasty has less discomfort, greater patient satisfaction, and less bleeding on removal with no adverse reactions compared to Merocel® packing. Therefore, Rhinocel® may be a useful packing material after septoplasty.