Effects of different types of pharyngeal packing in patients undergoing nasal surgery: A comparative study

Abstract

Context:Postoperative throat complaints such as postoperative sore throat (POST), dysphagia, and hoarseness frequently arises after tracheal intubation and throat packing for patient undergoing general anesthesia. This condition is very disturbing to patient. Avoiding POST is a major priority for these patients because preventing postoperative complications contributes to patient satisfaction.Aims:To describe and analyze the postoperative throat effects of nasopharyngeal packing and oropharyngeal packing in patients undergoing nasal surgery.Settings and Design:A randomized comparative study.Subjects and Methods:After obtaining approval of Ethical Committee 40 patients were included in study. After this patient were randomly allocated into two groups of 20 each. Group A - in which the oropharynx was packed and Group B - inwhich the nasopharynx was packed. General anesthesia were given and throat packing was done and patients were interviewed postoperatively for any throat complications such as sore throat, difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia), hoarseness of voice, throat irritation, and any other symptom pertaining to the study were noted and data were analyzed.Statistical Analysis Used:T-test to compare the age, while Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used to compare sex distribution, sore throat, dysphagia, hoarseness, and throat irritation.Results:Results showed statistically significant difference in incidence and severity of POST in Group A patients when compared to Group B patients to be more. Patients in Group A had a higher incidence of dysphagia when compared to their Group B counterparts. With respect to the incidence of hoarseness and throat irritation, there was no statistical significance between the groups.Conclusion:We concluded that the site of pharyngeal packing influences the incidence and severity of POST and as well as the incidence of dysphagia after general anesthesia. The use of nasopharyngeal packing in the patients undergoing nasal surgeries might lead to a reduction of the same.

Effects of Intraoperative Saline-Soaked Pharyngeal Packing on Nausea, Vomiting, and Throat Pain After Nasal Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Eleven studies, with 931 participants, were reviewed for eventual inclusion in this meta-analysis [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. The study characteristics and quality assessment are presented in Table 1.…”

Interest of pharyngeal packing in head and neck surgery: a meta-analysis

“…-Low methodological quality, with a modified Jadad score of less than 4 (n = 4) [10,[29][30][31]. -Ongoing study with results not yet published (n = 8) [32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39].…”

A comparison between conventional throat packs and pharyngeal placement of tampons in rhinology surgeries.

“…Posterior throat packs are often-used in rhinology surgery to help in protecting the airway against aspiration and in the reduction of ponv 5 . However, many studies concluded that posterior throat packs are associated with higher amounts of post-operative pain, nausea 2,6,7 , vomiting, and in some rare cases even forgotten in the patient leading to mortality 8 . Despite poor evidence in the literature, the placement of posterior throat packs is commonly practiced by surgeons and anesthetists because the possible risk of aspiration is worrisome 9 .…”