Biodegradable synthetic polyurethane foam nasal packing after septoplasty

Objective: To determine the usefulness of biodegradable Synthetic Polyurethane Foam (SPF) nasal packing as an adjunct to day-case septoplasty.Study Design: Comparative, observational case series. Place and Duration of Study: Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK, in the year 2011. Methodology: One-hundred consecutive patients who underwent septoplasty and received SPF packing in 2010 were prospectively audited while one-hundred consecutive patients undergoing septoplasty in the year 2000 were studied retrospectively. Data collected include demographics, type of operation and duration of hospital stay. Excel and SPSS were used for data collection and analysis. Results: In the year 2000, the average age of the patients was 40.6 years. There were 37 females and 63 males. One patient returned home the same day, 22 stayed one night, 69 spent two nights and 8 stayed more than two nights in hospital for their operation. The average length of stay was 1.84 nights. In 2010, the average age of patients was 37.86 years, with 31 patients being female and 69 male. All patients in this cohort received SPF packing postoperatively. Seventy-three patients went home the same day, 24 patients stayed one night and 3 patients spent two nights in hospital for their operation. Average length of hospital stay was 0.3 nights. Results were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion: SPF was a useful nasal packing option after septoplasty and inferior turbinate surgery, which enabled the surgeons to carry out this surgery safely as a day-case procedure.