Nasal Packing After Turbinoplasty

Nasal Packing After Turbinoplasty, Is it Worthwhile? A Prospective Study ?

This study aims to to compare postoperative pain, patient comfort, and hemostatic safety among four non-absorbable nasal packing techniques following microdebrider-assisted inferior turbinoplasty (MAIT) and to identify the most effective low-cost packing option.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Nasal Packing
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Standard bilateral Merocel® nasal tampons packing after Microdebrider-assisted inferior turbinoplasty; Procedure: A Merocel® tampon was enclosed within the finger portion of a sterile powder-free latex surgical glove after Microdebrider-assisted inferior turbinoplasty; Procedure: Merocel® tampons were coated with a thin uniform layer of topical broad-spectrum antibiotic ointment after microdebrider-assisted inferior turbinoplasty; Procedure: terile ribbon gauze impregnated with white petroleum jelly (paraffin) after microdebrider-assisted inferior turbinoplasty

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 135
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Egypt
  • Kafrelsheikh, Egypt
    • Kafrelsheikh University Hospitals

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults aged 18-65 years.
• Chronic bilateral nasal obstruction secondary to inferior turbinate hypertrophy.
• Failure of conservative medical management for at least 3 months, including intranasal corticosteroids and oral antihistamines.
• Positive decongestion test showing ≥30% improvement in anterior nasal cavity volume (V2-5 cm) on acoustic rhinometry after topical xylometazoline 0.5%, confirming predominantly mucosal rather than bony hypertrophy.
• Inferior turbinate hypertrophy grade 3 or 4 according to the Camacho classification system.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Significant nasal septal deviation affecting the nasal valve region.
• Internal or external nasal valve collapse or stenosis.
• Chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyposis.
• Previous nasal or paranasal sinus surgery.
• Coagulopathy or current anticoagulant therapy.
• Uncontrolled systemic disease.
• Pregnancy.
• Active smoking.
• Known allergic sensitization to any component of the nasal packing materials.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

4

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Standard bilateral Merocel® nasal tampons	Procedure: Standard bilateral Merocel® nasal tampons packing after Microdebrider-assisted inferior turbinoplasty; Standard bilateral Merocel® nasal tampons (Medtronic, USA) were inserted in their dry compressed form. Prior to insertion, each tampon was trimmed according to the dimensions of the patient's nasal cavity. Following contact with nasal secretions, the Merocel expanded to provide gentle and uniform pressure over the operative site.
Active Comparator: A Merocel® tampon enclosed within the finger portion of a sterile powder-free latex surgical glove	Procedure: A Merocel® tampon was enclosed within the finger portion of a sterile powder-free latex surgical glove after Microdebrider-assisted inferior turbinoplasty; A Merocel® tampon was enclosed within the finger portion of a sterile powder-free latex surgical glove. The glove finger was then partially stripped to expose portions of the Merocel surface while retaining a thin latex interface, thereby preventing the glove from acting as a complete barrier and allowing contact between the Merocel and surrounding nasal secretions. This modification preserved the expansion and absorptive properties of the Merocel while creating a smoother, less adherent outer surface.
Active Comparator: Merocel® tampons were coated with a thin uniform layer of topical broad-spectrum antibiotic ointment	Procedure: Merocel® tampons were coated with a thin uniform layer of topical broad-spectrum antibiotic ointment after microdebrider-assisted inferior turbinoplasty; Merocel® tampons were coated with a thin uniform layer of topical broad-spectrum antibiotic ointment, such as fusidic acid 2% plus corticosteroids, prior to bilateral insertion. This modification was intended to provide localized antimicrobial coverage while preserving the hemostatic effect of the packing material.
Active Comparator: sterile ribbon gauze impregnated with white petroleum jelly (paraffin)	Procedure: terile ribbon gauze impregnated with white petroleum jelly (paraffin) after microdebrider-assisted inferior turbinoplasty; Sterile ribbon gauze impregnated with white petroleum jelly (paraffin) was loosely packed into each nasal cavity in a layered accordion-like fashion, beginning at the nasal floor and progressing posteriorly. Packing density was standardized to achieve adequate hemostasis while avoiding excessive pressure on the nasal mucosa.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Pain intensity	1.Pain intensity Assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) (0 = no pain, 10 = worst imaginable pain)	We assesed pain during first 48 hours postoperative.
Bleeding after packing removal Assessed using a 4-point grading scale	Grade 0 = no bleeding Grade 1 = oozing Grade 2 = continuous bleeding Grade 3 = bleeding requiring intervention or control in the operating room	We assesed bleeding immediately after nasal packing removal

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Nasal fullness/pressure sensation	Nasal fullness/pressure sensation Assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS; 0-10)	We assesed it during first 48 hours postoperative.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Kafrelsheikh University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 6, 2026
• Study Completion (Actual): June 3, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 14, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 18, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): June 23, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 23, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 18, 2026
• Last Verified: January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Organic Chemicals; Hydrocarbons; Petrolatum; Paraffin
• Other Study ID Numbers: KFSIRB200-1082

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No