Efficacy of the combination of intraoperative cold saline-soaked gauze compression and corticosteroids on rhinoplasty morbidity

Abstract

Objective: The basic aim of this study was to minimize intraoperative bleeding, postoperative eyelid edema, and periorbital ecchymosis and to reduce morbidity with a combination of cold saline-soaked gauze compression and intraoperative single-dose corticosteroids.

Study design: The study was designed as a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled study. Three hundred patients who underwent septorhinoplasty were included.

Setting: A tertiary referral hospital in Turkey.

Subjects and methods: Three hundred patients undergoing septorhinoplasty were divided into 2 groups. A single dose of 10 mg dexamethasone was intravenously administered in all cases at the beginning of the operation. In the study group, the nasal dorsum was continuously compressed with cold saline-soaked gauze during the operation. In the control group, the nasal dorsum was compressed with dry gauze continuously during surgery. The operation time and amount of bleeding were recorded during surgery. Degree of eyelid edema and periorbital soft tissue ecchymosis was recorded at 24 hours and on postoperative days 2, 3, 5, and 7 by 2 investigators.

Results: The operation time was significantly shorter in the study group than in the control group. Eyelid edema and periorbital ecchymosis were significantly decreased in the study group at the following postoperative days 1, 3, 5, and 7 (P < .05).

Conclusion: Bleeding, edema, and ecchymosis are the main morbidities of rhinoplasty. It is highly probable that cold compression and intraoperative corticosteroids have synergistic effects on these morbidities, especially by the intraoperative control of bleeding.