The Effects of Different Types of Nasal Packing on Odor Function and Mucociliary Function After Septum Surgery

Abstract

Background: In this study, we evaluated how the Merocel and nasal splint packing placed in the nose after septoplasty surgery affects the olfactory and mucociliary functions of the nose in the early period, and compared the 2 packing with each other. Material and Method: The study included 60 patients with isolated septal deviation and 30 patients in the control group. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. Nasal splint was inserted after septoplasty in group A (n = 30). Merocel was inserted in group B (n = 30). The Sniffin sticks test and saccharin test were applied to the patients before surgery and 15 days after the surgery. The same tests were applied to the control group consisting of 30 patients and the results were compared. Results: No complications, such as postoperative bleeding, submucoperichondrial hematoma, or abscess formation, were found in both groups. Mucociliary function was improved after septoplasty, and it was statistically significant, but there was no statistically significant difference between both packing groups. A statistically significant difference was found for the odor test in patients who used nasal splint packing in comparison with patients who used Merocel in the early period. Conclusion: The odor test showed significant differences between the 2 groups and this was statistically significant in the early period. Mucociliary function was better after surgery, but there was no statistical difference in the different nasal packing groups.