Use of nonabsorbable sponge alone vs nonabsorbable sponge along with wax plate as intranasal splints in nasal surgeries: A comparative study

Abstract

Background: Nasal packing and splints have been used to control bleeding in epistaxis and endonasal procedures using various materials for internal stabilization and as spacers to prevent synechiae and restenosis. Aims and objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the results of using wax plates as nasal splints along with non-absorbable sponge for anterior nasal packing following nasal surgeries. Materials and methods: A total of 60 patients were selected for various nasal surgeries involving the septum such as conventional and endoseptoplasty, septorhinoplasty, functional endoscopic sinus surgery with septoplasty, and posttraumatic nasal bone fracture correction. They were randomly classified into two groups: for group I patients (n = 30), post-surgery wax plate was used as an intranasal splint along with anterior nasal packing, whereas for those in group II (n = 30), only anterior nasal packing was used. Result: In this study, 28.33% (n = 17) of the patients were in the age group of 15–30 years, 41.66% (n = 25) were in the age group of 31–45 years, and 30% (n = 18) were in the age group of 46–60 years. In total, 60% (n = 36) of the patients were males and 40% (n = 24) were female. The number of synechiae cases noticed in group II (n = 9) was found to be statistically significant when compared to that of group I (n = 1), p value = 0.006 (<0.05). Conclusion: Wax plate is an ideal intranasal splint for nasal surgeries because of its low cost, easy availability, and low rate of synechia formation.