Nasal packing in cosmetic and functional nasal surgery

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the routine use of nasal packing after cosmetic and functional nasal surgery. METHODS: Prospective collection from 2005 to 2006 at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Riyadh for 54 patients post-septorhinoplasty with and without submucous diathermy or lateralization of inferior turbinate were evaluated for efficacy and complications of nasal packing which kept for different duration. RESULTS: All 54 patients had septoplasty, 21 with rhinoplasty, 12 with SMD, and 24 patients had inferior turbinate lateralization. Eight cm slim Merocel packed in 67 nasal cavity sides, 8 cm regular Merocel packed in 24 sides and 10 cm regular Merocel packed in 6 sides. Thirty-seven patients had the pack for 6 hours then removed and 17 patients had it for 24 hours. Forty-one patients with no significant discomfort, 13 patients with mild to moderate discomfort. CONCLUSION: Septorhinoplasty and SMD or lateralization of inferior turbinate can be managed without packing or any other hemostatic measures.