Objective To compare the effect of digital gauze and calcium alginate used as nasal packing materials in post-operative functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Methods 60 patients with chronic sinusitis/nasal polyps were randomly divided into two groups, those who had digital gauze or calcium alginate as nasal packing material postoperative FESS, and self-examination questionnaire surveys were applied to all the patients before and after surgery. The questionnaire included pre-operative nasal ventilation score, nasal ventilation score, nasal pain score, headache score, dental pain score, nasal bleeding stopped time, blood loss and body temperature on the day of surgery and one day after the surgery (the day of stuffing removal). By the survey, the effect of digital gauze and calcium alginate was analyzed and compared. Results There was no significant difference in pre-operative nasal ventilation score between the two groups. On the day of surgery, the nasal ventilation score was significantly different between the two groups; however, nasal pain score, headache score, tooth pain score, nasal bleeding stopped time were not statistically different between the two groups; and nasal bleeding and fever were not found in either of the two groups. One day after the surgery, nasal ventilation score, nasal pain score, headache score, dental pain score, nasal bleeding stopped time had no statistical difference between the two groups; and nasal bleeding and fever were also not found in either of the two groups. Conclusion As a new nasal packing material used in chronic sinusitis/nasal polyps patients who accepted FESS, digital gauze has the advantage of better nasal ventilation score compared to calcium alginate, and it should be widely used in clinical practice.
