Influence of nasal pack removal on patients' anxiety after septoplasty.

OBJECTIVES This study aims to investigate the effects of the removal of Merocel nasal packs on patients' anxiety after septoplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS Fifty patients (26 males, 24 females; mean age 30 years; range 18 to 56 years) who underwent septoplasty in the Department of Ear Nose and Throat of our hospital between January 2013 and January 2015 were enrolled in this prospective study. Patients' anxiety was measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Anxiety levels were measured 24 hours preoperatively, 48 hours postoperatively before nasal pack removal, and 60 minutes after nasal pack removal. RESULTS The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scores were 44.2±7.4 preoperatively, 45.1±7.1 postoperatively before pack removal, and 37.4±6.7 after pack removal. There was no statistically significant difference between pre- and postoperative evaluations. However, patients' anxiety decreased statistically significantly in the evaluation 60 minutes after pack removal (p=0.0). CONCLUSION We recommend administering soluble packs or sewing techniques without nasal packs after septoplasty due to concerns related to quality of life after surgery.