The Effect of Pharyngeal Packing during Nasal Surgery on the Incidence of Post Operative Nausea, Vomiting, and Sore Throat

Introduction: Nausea and vomiting after ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgery is one of the most common and notable problems facing anesthesiologists in this area. This study was conducted to determine the effect of a pharyngeal pack on the severity of nausea, vomiting, and sore throat among patients after ear, pharynx, and throat surgeries.   Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical study was performed in ۱۴۰ patients (۶۱ men and ۷۹ women; age range, ۲۰–۴۰ years) who had undergone nasal surgery in ۲۰۱۰. Patients were divided into two groups: the first group were treated using a pharyngeal pack (case group) and the second group were managed without a pharyngeal pack (control group). Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test and the Mann-Whitney U test. SPSS software was used for data analysis.   Results: The mean severity of nausea and vomiting in the two groups was ۲.۰۵۷, ۱.۳۷۱ and ۱.۱۰۰, respectively, with no significant differences between groups. However, the mean severity of sore throat was ۱.۷۱۴ in the group with the pharyngeal pack and ۱.۳۸۵ in the group without pharyngeal pack (P=۰.۰۱۰).   Conclusion:  Not only does a pharyngeal pack in ENT surgery not reduce the extent and severity of nausea and vomiting, but it also increases the severity of sore throat in patients when leaving the recovery room and discharging hospital.

Keywords:

Nasal surgery , nausea and vomiting , Throat pain