Short duration anterior nasal packing after submucosal resection of nasal septum.

OBJECTIVES To find out the shortest possible duration of nasal packing after submucosal resection (SMR) operation. To compare the outcome of the patients who underwent SMR operation and anterior nasal pack (ANP) removed after 24 hours with those who had ANP removed after 2 hours of operation. MATERIALS AND METHODS A prospective randomized hospital based study was undertaken to compare the outcome of early removal of nasal packs after 2 hours of operation and after 48 hours. Seventy four patients undergoing SMR operation with ANP were divided in two groups. Group I: patients who underwent SMR and ANP removed after 24 hours to 48 hours (n= 37 patients). Group II: patients who underwent SMR and ANP removed after 2 hours (n= 37 patients). RESULTS There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age distribution (p = 0.244), sex (p = 0.76), synaechia formation (p = 0.615) and bruise in the upper lip (p = 1.000). There were no complications following early (2 hours) removal of ANP except synaechia, no significant post-operative bleeding occurred and no post operative septal hematoma were noted. In addition, patients reported less post-operative discomfort when the packs were removed early in Group II. This practice reduced the length of hospital stay and therefore reduced costs. CONCLUSION Our study shows that there is no significant difference in the post operative events and recovery between removal of ANP after 48 hours and after 2 hours of operation. This supports that ANP removal can safely be done after two hours of operation.