KUMJ | VOL. 13 | NO. 4 | ISSUE 52 | OCT-DEC, 2015
Study of Microorganism Growth Pattern in Nasal Pack of Patients Visiting the Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery
Shrestha I, Pokharel M, Dhakal A, Amatya RCM, Madhup S, Sherchan JB
Abstract: Background
Nasal packs are utilized nearly by otorhinolaryngologists for controlling epistaxis and
post nasal procedures. Complications have been reported due to them; therefore the
use of antibiotics is a common practice among otorhinolaryngologists.
Objective
To detect microbiological flora associated with nasal packing and find evidence to
support the benefit of systemic antibiotics with it.
Method
A prospective, analytical study was conducted on 51 patients presenting to the
Department of ENT, KUSMS from June to September 2015 who required nasal
packing. Approval of the local Institutional review committee (IRC) was taken. The
mid part of the pack was collected in a sterile bottle under aseptic technique and
sent to microbiology department. Specimen collection, culture, identification tests
were done according to the guidelines by American Society for Microbiology. Data
were collected using the individual patient records and Microsoft Office Excel 2007.
Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 16.0.
Result
Among the 51 cultures; 33 (64.7%) were positive. In 18 (35.3%) cultures no organism
was grown. Statistical analysis did not show significance between duration of pack
kept with microbial growth (p=0.051) or the type of pack kept (p=0.212) .It showed
significance with foul smell of the pack to the growth (p=<0.001).
Conclusion
Microbiological flora was associated with nasal pack. Antibiotic soaked nasal packs
have lesser incidence of positive bacterial growth when compared with plain nasal
packs. Nasal packs kept for less than 48 hours have lesser incidence of positive
bacterial growth when compared with nasal packs kept for more than 48 hours.
Therefore, administering systemic antibiotics in cases when we plan to keep the pack
for longer duration is recommended.
Keyword : Epistaxis, microbiology, nasal pack
