• Süleyman Yilmaz, Buket Kocaman Akbay, Sahnur Yildizbaş, Ender Güçlü, Hüseyin Yaman, and Gülbin Yalçin Sezen.
• Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Düzce University, Düüzce, Turkey. dryilmazsuleyman@yahoo.com.
• J Otolaryngol Head N. 2010 Aug 1;39(4):454-7.

ObjectiveTo search the efficacy of using Merocele (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) soaked with 5 mL of levobupivacaine hydrocloride as a nasal pack in control of postoperative pain after septoplasty.DesignThe study was designed as a prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled study. Forty-one patients who underwent septoplasty operation were included in the analysis.SettingA tertiary referral hospital in Turkey.Material And MethodsForty-one patients undergoing septoplasty were divided into two groups. At the end of the operation, Merocele packs were placed inside the nasal cavity. In the levobupivacaine group, each Merocele pack was soaked with 5 mL of levobupivacaine hydrochloride (25 mg/10 mL), and in the control group, Merocele packs were soaked with 5 mL of saline.Main Outcome MeasuresPostoperative pain levels were recorded using a visual analogue scale (VAS score, 0-100) at 30 minutes and 1, 2, 8, 12, and 24 hours.ResultsWe did not find any significant difference between groups regarding age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists status, and body mass index. Postoperative VAS values at 30 minutes and 1, 2, 8, and 12 hours were significantly lower in the levobupivacaine group compared with the control group (p < .05). The need for supplemental analgesia was significantly lower in the levobupivacaine group compared with the control group (p < .01).ConclusionPostoperative pain after septoplasty owing to nasal packing is an important problem, and using levobupivacaine-soaked Merocele as a nasal pack after septoplasty is an effective method for the control of this pain. It is a very easy, effective, and quick method and it improves patient comfort after septoplasty.

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