The Clinical Efficacy of Cutanplast(R) Nasal Packing after Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of Cutanplast(R) nasal packing after endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy. METHODS: The present study included a total of 76 adult patients (98 eyes) with primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction who underwent endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy. Fifty-four eyes were packed with Cutanplast(R) and 44 eyes were packed with Merocel(R). Patient discomfort while the packing was in situ, degree of bleeding during the day after operation, functional and anatomical success rate, and postoperative complications such as synechiae, granulation, wound healing (osteal mucosal epithelium epithelization), and revision rate were compared between the packing materials. RESULTS: The Cutanplast(R) was significantly more comfortable and effective at preventing hemorrhage after endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy during the day following the operation. There was no significant difference between the two groups in postoperative anatomical and functional surgical success rate at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months. In comparison with postoperative complications, the Cutanplast(R) group showed a lower incidence of delayed wound healing (delayed epithelialization of the osteal mucosal epithelium) than the Merocel(R) group, whereas there was no difference in granulation, synechiae, or revision rate. CONCLUSIONS: The Cutanplast(R) nasal pack resulted in significantly less discomfort and less bleeding compared to the Merocel(R) nasal pack. Moreover, the Cutanplast(R) showed a lower proportion of delayed wound healing after endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy and had the advantage of low cost compared to other hemostatic nasal packing materials. Therefore, Cutanplast(R) nasal packing after endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy can be considered a comfortable, cost-effective and clinically-effective method.