Effect of Suturation Plus Surgicel Application on Post-Tonsillectomy Bleeding and Pain.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of suturation (tonsillary fossa closure) plus Surgicel application on postoperative bleeding and pain after tonsillectomies performed using a classical dissection method. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, clinical trial was performed on 760 patients undergoing tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy during a 5-year period. METHODS: After excluding patients with hemorrhagic disorder, chronic disease, and peritonsillar abscess, both tonsils were removed via classic dissection technique (cold knife or blunt dissection) and then electrocauterized for hemostasis. The tonsillar fossa randomly assigned to the treatment protocol (Group 1) was closed by sutures, following Surgicel application. The other side was unaltered and acted as the control (Group 2). Pain was evaluated every day for 10 days postoperatively, and bleeding was reported at any time. RESULTS: A total of 760 patients (393 males, 367 females) between the ages of 4 and 35 years (mean age 13.46 ±â€Š7.98) were included in the study. Bleeding was observed in 31 patients: 8 from Group 1; and 23 from Group 2 (95% confidence interval [CI], P < 0.05). The average pain score was greater in Group 1 than in Group 2 on each postoperative day (95% CI, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Suturation plus Surgicel application increased pain levels while decreasing bleeding incidence during the postoperative period.

The effect of smoking on perforation development and healing after septoplasty.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between septal perforation and smoking (of cigarettes) was not previously studied in patients who underwent septoplasty. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of smoking on nasal septal perforation development and the postoperative healing process in patients who underwent septoplasty. METHODS: Medical records of patients who underwent septoplasty procedures between January 2010 and December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Any candidates with chronic systemic disease, were >40 years of age, were prone to complications (i.e., excessive septal deviation), or had previous nasal surgery were excluded from study. The subjects were grouped by smoking habits, and septal effects of smoking were evaluated clinically. RESULTS: Of 281 patients, 88 qualified as smokers (group 1) and 193 were considered nonsmokers (group 2). Septal perforation was observed in eight patients in group 1 and in one patient in group 2 (p < 0.05). In groups 1 and 2, the average healing times were 8.8 ± 2.04 days and 7.51 ± 1.75 days, respectively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both nasal recovery time and development of septal perforation proved significantly greater in patients who smoked after septoplasty.