Evaluation of symptoms and QOL with calcium alginate versus chitin-coated gauze for middle meatus packing after endoscopic sinus surgery

Objective: Nasal packing is used to control postoperative bleeding and wound healing, and it also exerts a very strong influence on the comfort of the patient. Sorbsan (R) (calcium alginate) is an absorbent packing that shows a potent hemostatic effect and is able to maintain wound surfaces in a moist environment by absorbing and gelling the wound exudate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the early symptoms and QOL with Sorbsan (R) versus Beschitin-F (R) (chitin-coated gauze) for middle meatus packing after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Methods: We performed a cohort study of 40 patients who underwent ESS. Following ESS, the patients were randomly allocated into two groups of 20 patients each who underwent insertion of either Sorbsan (R) or Beschitin-F (R) into the middle meatus. A daily diary was used to record the symptoms and QOL, measured using visual analogue scales, before the ESS and on each day thereafter. Postoperative bleeding and local infection were also recorded. Results: The scores for each of the symptoms of nasal pain, headache, nasal bleeding and postnasal drip were statistically significantly lower in the Sorbsan (R) group. The scores for each of the QOL parameters, including the effect on their stay in the hospital and sleep disturbance, were also significantly lower in the Sorbsan (R) group. There were no findings of postoperative hemorrhage or local infection in either group. Conclusion: Sorbsan (R) packing did not cause any major complications and has the potential to reduce nasal pain and suffering in post ESS patients compared with gauze packing. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.