The Effects of Nasal Packing and Transseptal Suturing After Septoplasty on Olfactory Function, Patient Comfort, and Mucociliary Clearance.

Background: This study compared the effects of nasal packing and transseptal suturing after septoplasty by evaluating olfactory function, pain, and mucociliary clearance.

Methods: The study enrolled 39 patients diagnosed with isolated septal deviation. The patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups. In Group A (n = 21), transseptal sutures were placed for septal stabilization after the septoplasty. In Group B (n = 18), both nasal passages were packed with Merocel tampons after the septoplasty. It was made Sniffin Sticks test, sacchranirine test, and pain and discomfort scales preoperatively, 1 week postoperatively and 3 months postoperatively on all patients.

Results: There was no postoperative bleeding, submucoperichondrial haematoma, or abscess formation in either group. The postoperative discomfort and pain scores were increased in Group B (the packing group) in our study, the mucociliary clearance improved after septoplasty in both groups, and there was no significant difference in mucociliary clearance between the 2 groups. The odor threshold, odor identification, and odor discrimination were significantly increased 3 months postoperatively, but not 1 week postoperatively.

Conclusions: Nasal packing causes more discomfort and pain than transseptal suturing, while there was no significant difference in olfactory functions or the mucociliary clearance after septoplasty between nasal packing and transseptal suturing.