KBB-Forum 2022 , Cilt 21, Sayı 2

ASSESSMENT OF IDEAL DURATION OF INTRANASAL SPLINT USE AFTER SEPTOPLASTY: A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED CLINICAL STUDY

Özlem BAYRAM 1, MD; Cemal HACI 2, MD Yücel ALPEREN AKPINAR 3, MD; Mürüvvet PAKSOY 1, MD; Samet Çağrı COŞKUN 4, MD; Reşit Murat AÇIKALIN 4, MD;
1Haseki Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Kulak Burun Boğaz, İstanbul, Turkey
2İstanbul Rumeli Üniversitesi, Odyometri, İstanbul, Turkey
3Bayrampaşa Devlet Hastanesi, Kulak Burun Boğaz, İstanbul, Turkey Aim: In the literature, there is no consensus about the ideal nasal splint removal time, and only a few randomized prospective studies on this subject have been conducted. Our study aimed to find the ideal duration for nasal splint use after septal surgeries by comparing patient satisfaction, olfactory function, mucociliary activity, nasal airflow, and complication rates.

Methods: Patients undergoing a septoplasty operation were randomly divided into three groups, defined by their nasal splint removal time. Splints were removed on the third, fifth, and seventh postoperative days in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. We evaluated patient comfort using visual analog scale (VAS) and Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scores, while nasal airflow was measured according to the peak nasal inspiratory air flow (PNIF). The saccharine test was used to find the mucociliary activity, and the Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC) odor test was used to assess olfactory function. Early and late complications were also assessed.

Results: There were no significant differences among the groups in terms of VAS score, PNIF score, mucociliary activity, or complication rate. Regarding the nasal fullness values, group 1 had statistically worse scores than did the others, but there were no differences between groups 2 and 3. Another significant difference was observed for the odor test on tampon removal day, with group 1 having the lowest scores.

Conclusion: There is no consensus about how long intranasal splints should remain in use after a septoplasty. However, we do not recommend splint removal on the third day and before after a septoplasty, as the worst odor results and NOSE scores were seen in group 1. Keywords : Septoplasty, nasal splint, patient comfort