What Is Nasal Packing And Is It Recommended After Rhinoplasty?

Nasal packing is the process of packing the nasal cavities with sterile cotton or gauze following a Toronto nose job. The primary reason for using nasal packing is to control bleeding as well as provide support to the septum following rhinoplasty.

There are various different types of nasal packing, and the decision of which type of packing to use, or to use any at all, will vary on a case-by-case basis. At Dr. Solomon’s Nasal and Facial Cosmetic Surgery Clinic, he performs in depth assessments with each Toronto nose job client, giving them detailed explanations and recommendations to meet their goals.

Traditionally, nasal packing was often left in the patients nose for up to two weeks. However, with modern advances in surgical techniques, bleeding expected after a rhinoplasty surgery is considerably less. This means that lighter packing can be used for a much shorter period of time or none at all.

The most common type of nasal packing used in Telfa, which is thin gauze with a smooth outer lining. The gauze is typically attached to a string, allowing for it to be easily removed in 24 hours following the procedure.

There are also other types of nasal packing materials. For instance, Surgicel, which is a sealant that promotes blood clotting. This is also known as hemostatic packing and is comprised of coagulation materials.

The use of packing varies depending on the type of rhinoplasty performed and the reason for the surgery.

Packing can be uncomfortable, and when possible, it is usually eliminated from post-operative care. In some cases, especially when treating a deviated septum, splints may be used instead of packing, which are generally more comfortable as patients can still breath through the nose.

Protective splints usually remain in the nose for 7-10 days following surgery. Nasal packing is more commonly used in cases where surgery has been performed to relieve a nasal obstruction, or if the patient has a medical problem such as a bleeding disorder or coagulopathic pathology.

For Dr. Solomon’s patients who opt for a nose job, he makes every effort to close all incisions in the nose effectively to avoid the use of any nasal packing. Although some surgeons rely on nasal packing as a means to internally push and keep tissues in place as well as control bleeding, by meticulously closing all incisions, Dr. Solomon is able to improve the chances that the tissue will remain in place on its own.

As a renowned Otolaryngologist Head and Neck Surgeon practicing Facial Plastic Surgery in Toronto for nearly 20 years, Dr. Solomon puts patient comfort first. By eliminating the use of nasal packing as much as possible, patients are able to enjoy a smoother and quicker recovery time, without anticipating the uncomfortable removal of packing.

Another advantage of not using packing is that patients do not have added discomfort or congestion following surgery. As a result of not using packing, additional swelling that may be caused by inserting a foreign object in the nasal cavity is also eliminated. As a result, patients experience less bruising and swelling, and can enjoy a more comfortable healing process.

In rare cases when it cannot be avoided, Dr. Solomon may use a slender tampon as nasal packing in the nose overnight. However, these are very easy to remove in the rare cases where they are required.