Role of nasal splints; prevention of postoperative nasal adhesions and associated morbidity

ABSTRACT

250 patients were included in a prospective, controlled clinical trial to find out the effectiveness of intranasal splints in prevention of postoperative nasal adhesions. One group[125] had insertion of splints while the other group [125] did not. Associated morbidity was also assessed. The incidence of formation of nasal adhesions was 2% in splinted group as compared to 11.9% in the non-splinted group [p<0.05].The patients who had multiple procedures were a higher risk of developing adhesions. The mean pain scores at pack removal and on 7th postoperative day were significantly high in splinted patients [p<0.001].The rate of Vestibulitis was 12% in splinted patients as compared to 2.55% in non-splinted patients. The complications such as septal perforation, ulceration and posterior dislocation of splint were not significant. It is concluded that splints should be used in carefully selected high risk patients