Effect of nasal packing and haemostatic septal suture on mucociliary activity after septoplasty: an assessment by rhinoscintigraphy

Nasal packing may influence the mucociliary clearance of the nose in the postoperative healing phase. In an attempt to overcome some of this problem, a haemostatic septal suturing technique was conceived. In this prospective study, we aimed to investigate the effects of nasal packing and septal suturing technique on mucociliary clearance by rhinoscintigraphy. Forty-eight adult patients who had undergone septoplasty were included in the investigation. Preoperatively, the patients were allocated into three groups: group 1, fingerstall packs filled with gauze and smeared with vaseline were used (11 male, 4 female); group 2, silicon septal splint packs were used (11 male, 4 female); group 3, haemostatic septal sutures were used (14 male, 4 female). Mucociliary clearance was measured by rhinoscintigraphy in all patients before surgery and 6 weeks after surgery. The nasal mucociliary clearance was presented as the velocity (mm/min) of nasal mucociliary transport of the ^99mTc-MAA droplet. The mean velocity of nasal mucociliary clearances before and after surgery for group 1, group 2 and group 3 were 1.85 ± 0.67 versus 2.43 ± 0.78 mm/min, 2.36 ± 0.80 versus 2.92 ± 0.96 mm/min and 2.03 ± 0.58 versus 2.62 ± 0.65 mm/min, respectively. A significant difference in nasal mucociliary clearance was observed after surgery in all groups (p < 0.001). No significant differences were found between the groups regarding mucociliary clearance before and after surgery. Patients with septal deviation have a prolonged mucociliary transit time as compared with postoperative. Nasal packing did not significantly influence the mucociliary clearance in the postoperative healing phase.