[The effect of nasal packing with or without an airway on arterial blood gases during sleep].

OBJECTIVES We investigated the effect of postoperatively applied nasal packing with or without an airway on partial arterial oxygen (PaO(2)) and carbon dioxide (PaCO(2)) pressures during sleep. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study included 40 patients (24 men, 16 women; mean age 29 years; range 18 to 60 years) who underwent septoplasty operation. The patients were randomly assigned to postoperative nasal packings with (n=20) or without (n=20) an airway. PaO(2) and PaCO(2) levels were measured during sleep on the preoperative night and on the postoperative first and second nights. The findings were compared. RESULTS No significant differences were found between the preoperative and postoperative PaO(2) and PaCO(2) levels obtained with nasal packing containing an airway. However, the mean PaO(2) level measured on the postoperative second night significantly decreased in patients wearing a nasal packing without an airway, when compared with the mean preoperative value and with that obtained from the other group on the same night (p<0.05). On the other hand, increases in the mean PaCO(2) levels did not reach significance. In both groups, postoperative PaO(2) and PaCO(2) values were within acceptable limits. No signs of hypoxia or hypercapnia were detected. CONCLUSION To prevent decreases in the PaO(2) levels, the use of nasal packings with an airway seems to be more appropriate in patients susceptible to hypoxia.