Comparison of three different polyvinyl alcohol packs following functional endoscopic Nasal surgery

Objectives/Hypothesis To compare the extent of bleeding and patient discomfort during packing removal of three different polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) packs: 1) a standard PVA sponge (s-PVA) (Mondocel Standard 10 cm; Mondomed NV, Hamont-Achel, Belgium); 2) a PVA sponge with oxidized cellulose (oc-PVA) (Merocel Hemox 10 cm; Medtronic Xomed Surgical Products, Jacksonville, FL); and 3) a PVA sponge with polyethylene film (pf-PVA) (Merocel 2000 8 cm; Medtronic Xomed Surgical Products, Jacksonville, FL), after functional endoscopic sinus surgery and inferior turbinoplasty. Study Design A prospective, randomized, blinded, controlled trial. Methods Ninety consecutive patients were enrolled and randomized to receive in each side one pack in the middle meatus and another pack of the same material in the nasal fossa. The patients were equally divided in three groups of 30 patients each. Group A received the pf-PVA; group B received oc-PVA; and group C received s-PVA. Postoperatively, bleeding after removal of the entire nasal packing was evaluated by an observer, whereas the severity of pain was rated by patients with visual analog scales. Results Our study evaluated three nasal packing materials, demonstrating that the pf-PVA is less painful than the others but with intermediate bleeding ratio. However, the oc-PVA has an intermediate pain score but minimum bleeding. The s-PVA showed the worst pain and bleeding results. Conclusions Considering that removal of the second pack (middle meatus) is more painful than the first (nasal fossa), our results suggest that a pf-PVA can be placed in the middle meatus and a oc-PVA in the nasal fossa in order to reduce patient's discomfort in terms of pain and bleeding.