To Assess the Morbidity Associated with the use of Intra-Nasal Splints and its Role in the Prevention of Nasal Adhesions

Abstract

Objective: To assess the morbidity associated with the use of intra –nasal-splints  and its role in the prevention of nasal  adhesions.

Study design: Prospective study.

Place and Duration of study: This study was conducted at Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Teaching Hospital Abbottabad ,from July 2010 to August 2011.

Materials and Method: Randomized  prospective clinical method compared between patients with and without nasal splints. The author observed 256 patients operated on for Septoplasty in the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Teaching hospital Abottabad. They were assessed fro the complications  and discomfort of  splints.

Results: The group with the nasal splints, observed poor quality and the recovery was  not well tolerated by majority of them. This group also observed sever pain  during the removal of splints. In contrast in patients without the nasal splints the complications were minimum with good quality.

Conclusion: Although the nasal splints are widely used, it does not provide maximum protection to prevent adhesions formation. Furthermore morbidity associated with the splints does not justify its regular use.