Comparison of the effects of articaine, tetracaine, and lidocaine application on pain and hemorrhage during and after nasal pack removal

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: We purposed to compare the effects of certain local anesthetic applications on pain and hemorrhage caused by nasal pack removal. METHODS: Design: Prospective, placebo-controlled study. Setting: Ataturk University Medical Faculty Hospital. This study was done in 90 patients who applied nasal packing after septoplasty. All patients were divided randomly into four groups. Each group was applied 2% lidocaine, 2% tetracaine, 4% articaine or 0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl) into their Merocel packs 15 min before removing. Verbal analog scale (VAS) score was registered from all patients, and the amount of hemorrhage was noted during the removal of the nasal packs and then for 30 min. RESULTS: The study groups had significantly better pain scores than the control group during nasal pack removal and after 5 min (p<0.001). The articaine and the lidocaine groups had also better pain scores than the control group at 15th min after the removal of the nasal packs (p<0.05), but the tetracaine group had no better pain scores than the control group, which is statistically significant at p>0.05. Analysis of bleeding scores after the removal of packs showed that the articaine and the lidocaine groups had better bleeding scores than the control group (p<0.004 and p<0.033, respectively). CONCLUSION: Topical articaine application into nasal packs just before removing in the patients who underwent septoplasty can be safely used for less pain, less hemorrhage, and more patient tolerance.