ABSTRACT
To compare the effectiveness of nasal packing vs basting [quilting] suture in the control of postoperative bleeding and or haematoma formation and patient compliance of nasal packing after Submucoperichondrial Resection [SMR]. Comparative clinical trial with stratified randomization. Department CMH Kharian cantt from January, 2006 to March, 2007. A total of 200 patients were included in the study. One hundred cases had basting suture and 100 had nasal packing. Patients requiring other procedures like cautery, submucosal diathermy, turbinectomy and middle meatal antrostomy were excluded. The two groups were compared for postoperative bleeding, septal haematoma formation, discomfort in nose, and general well being. Patients with basting suture were free of any discomfort postoperatively which was seen in cases with nasal packing. The two methods were equally effective in preventing excessive bleeding and septal haematoma formation. We conclude that the basting suture technique avoids the patient from post operative discomfort caused by nasal packing and is equally effective in preventing post operative septal haematoma. As the post-op discomfort is significant in nasal packing we recommend quilting of the mucoperichondrial flaps.