Pharyngeal packing is a predisposing factor for postoperative aphthous stomatitis in nasal surgery

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate whether pharyngeal packing is a predisposing factor for the development of postoperative aphthous stomatitis in nasal surgery.

Study design: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial.

Setting: A tertiary referral center.

Subjects and methods: After the study was approved by the local ethics committee, 100 adult patients scheduled for routine nasal surgery were enrolled. The development of postoperative aphthous lesions within three days after surgery was evaluated in patients in whom a pharyngeal pack was (Group 1) or was not (Group 2) applied during nasal surgery.

Results: In Group 1, the presence of pharyngeal pack increased the risk for postoperative oral mucosal aphthae development by 4.64 times (P = 0.02, RR = 4.64, 95% CI = 1.22-17.91). No significant associations were found between postoperative oral mucosal aphthae development and sex (P = 1), age (P = 0.69), height (P = 0.73), weight (P = 0.22), or duration of surgery (P = 0.47) in Group 1.

Conclusion: Pharyngeal packing during nasal surgery increases postoperative morbidity by leading to the development of painful oral aphthous lesions.