Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of quilting mucoperichondrial flaps with routine nasal packing in patients undergoing septoplasty.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD: One hundred patients were selected through non-probability convenience sampling technique. They were divided in two groups A & B with 50 patients in each group. In group A nasal packing was done while in group B quilting of mucoperichondrial flaps was done after septoplasty. The outcome of both methods was compared by evaluating the variables; pain at 24th postoperative hour, pain on pack removal, nasal obstruction, nasal bleeding, septal hematoma and synechiae formation in nose at follow up visit on first and second postoperative week.
RESULTS: Mean age in group A was 23.94 ±6.36 and in group B it was 22.66 ±6.93. Postoperative pain scores at 24th postoperative hour were moderate to severe in group A while mild to moderate in group B. In Group A 94 % patients experienced severe pain on pack removal while 6% experienced mild pain. There was no such pain in group B due to lack of nasal packing. Nasal obstruction was more in group A and was statistically significant. There was no septal hematoma or synechiae formation in either of the groups at first week follow up however at second week follow up visit four patients (8%) in group A and one patient (2%) in group B developed synechiae. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in regards to nasal bleeding.

CONCLUSION: Quilting of mucoperichondrial flaps after septoplasty is an effective alternative for nasal packing and has added advantage of significantly reduced nasal obstruction, postoperative pain and pain on pack removal

Key words: Nasal septum, Nasal Packing, Nasal cavity, Synechiae, Quilting