Comparative Arterial Blood Gas Analysis in Post Septoplasty Patients with Conventional Nasal Packs Versus Nasal Packs with Airway

To evaluate levels of arterial blood gases in patients undergoing septoplasty, with conventional nasal packing versus those with nasal packing with airway. The current prospective comparative study was conducted on 68 patients undergoing septoplasty, who were divided randomly into two groups-conventional nasal packs (ANP) and nasal packs with airway (ANP-A). Arterial blood gas analysis alongwith objective symptoms of patients were recorded and evaluated. The difference between pre and post operative values of SpO(2) (ANP = 6.73 +/- 1.17, ANP-A = 2.84 +/- 0.91) and pO(2) (ANP = 15.09 +/- 4.34, ANP-A = 3.46 +/- 1.49) between the two groups was statistically significant (p = 0.001). Differences in post operative pH, pCO(2) and HCO3 between the two groups was not statistically significant. Significant difference between the two groups was observed in patients' objective symptoms as well. Nasal packs with airway have lesser perturbing effects on septoplasty patients as compared to conventional nasal packs.