Use of Nasal Septal Splint with Clip in Septoplasty: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

and those having allergic rhinosinusitis were excluded from the study. [ Figure 1], postoperatively, the splint was gently inserted by passing the splint through the nostrils and then along the ABSTRACT Background and Aim: Nasal pack is used for the control of bleeding and to prevent post-operative complications in septoplasties. An alternative to nasal packing is a nasal septal splint with clip which can be used postoperatively in septoplasties. Hence, we are doing a retrospective observational study of the septoplasties cases performed in our institute using splint with clip postoperatively and assessing post-operative signs, symptoms, and complications. Case Description: The study involves 40 patients aged between 21 years and 47 years who were having deviated nasal septum and underwent septoplasty between November 2017 and November 2019 in the Department of ENT, ESIC Model Hospital, Guwahati, after taking inclusion and exclusion criteria. Postoperatively, symptoms such as headache, dysphagia, sleep disturbance, epiphora, and bleeding were assessed. During nasal septal splint and clip removal, pain and bleeding were assessed. Post-operative complications such as hematoma, synechiae, and septal perforation were noted. Conclusion: It was observed that patients had less postoperative symptoms, less pain, and bleeding following splint and clip removal and lesser post-operative complications. Clinical Significance: Nasal splint with clip may be used as a safe alternative to nasal packing.