Comparison of postoperative pain, bleeding and septal hematoma formation after septoplasty with and without nasal packing.

Abstract

Objective: To compare postoperative pain, bleeding and septal hematoma formation after septoplasty with and without nasal packing. Study Design: Randomized Control Trial (RCT). Setting: Department of ENT, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore. Period: June 1^st, 2025 to November 30^th 2025. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 100 patients who met the selection criteria were enrolled and were split into two equal groups of 50 patients each at random. Group A had nasal packing following septoplasty and Group B patients did not have nasal packing Patients were assessed over 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours postoperatively and outcomes were assessed. Results: The patients in Group A had an average age of 32±4.71 years while those in Group B was 33±9.31 years. The Group A mean VAS pain score at 24 hours compared to Group B was 4±0.61 versus 2±0.51 (p=0.000), respectively. At 24 hours, in Group A versus B, septal hematoma was present in 1 (2%) versus 1 (2%) patient respectively and at the time of discharge, it was present in 2 (4%) versus 2 (4%) patients (p=1.000), respectively. Bleeding at 24 hours occurred in 4 (8%) versus 8 (16%) patients in Group A versus B respectively (p=0.218). Conclusion: There was no difference in bleeding or septal hematoma between patients with and without nasal packing and septoplasty without nasal packing was substantially related with decreased pain.