The use of nasal packing post rhinoplasty: does it increase periorbital ecchymosis? A prospective study

BACKGROUND Periorbital edema and ecchymosis following rhinoplasty is disturbing for both the patients and their surgeons. The study aim was to determine whether nasal packing after lateral osteotomies in rhinoplasty surgery increases the risk of periorbital ecchymosis post-operatively. METHODS This was a prospective self-controlled single-blinded study. Seventy four patients who underwent rhinoplasty with bilateral lateral osteotomies by a single surgeon were enrolled in the study. Nasal cavity packing for one side was done while the other side was left unpacked. Periorbital ecchymosis was evaluated by the operating surgeon and a separate surgeon who is unaware of the packing side separately on the first, fourth and seventh day post-operatively. A 4-grade scale was utilized to assess the ecchymosis with grade 4 being the most severe. RESULTS Nasal packing was found to significantly increase the severity and duration of periorbital ecchymosis post rhinoplasty. While no difference was observed between the packed and unpacked sides on the first post-operative day, significant difference was noted on the 4th day (mean score 2.36 and 1.15 for the packed and unpacked sides, respectively) and on the 7th day after surgery in favor of the unpacked side (score 1.24 and 0.61 for the packed and unpacked sides, respectively). CONCLUSION We advise against the routine use of nasal packing in rhinoplasty unless necessary as it contributes to worsen the periorbital ecchymosis from lateral osteotomies and thereby increases the patients' "down time" after surgery.