Should Intranasal Splints Be Used after Nasal Septal Surgery?

Background

Intranasal splints are widely used after nasal septal surgery for prevention of intranasal adhesions and support of septal position. However, they have been shown to cause significant discomfort to patients. Here we examine the evidence regarding the utility of using intranasal splints after septal surgery and address the question of whether the benefits of their use outweigh the risks.

Best Practice

Conventional septal splints have been shown in multiple large RCTs to cause significantly increased postoperative pain without sufficient evidence of decreasing rates of intranasal adhesions or other clinically significant complications. However, one recent smaller RCT shows that a new thinner splint may result in both improved mucosal status and decreased postoperative discomfort. Click here to view the complete article in The Laryngoscope.