Introduction: Among the complications of septoplaty, postoperative septal bleeding and hematoma are some of the most frequent. In order to avoid such problems, most surgeons still use nasal packing and/or splints that make the postoperative period extremely unpleasant. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fibrin glue in septoplasties for prophylaxis of these complications. Study design: Clinical prospective randomized. Material and method: We observed 20 patients who underwent septoplaties from January to May, 2002, at the Real Instituto de Otorrino e Fono, in whom we used fibrin glue, in order so seal the septal flaps. Results: No case of septal bleeding or hematoma was noticed and no other complications occurred that could have been associated to the fibrin glue. Conclusions: Fibrin glue proved to be efficacious in preventing such complications and well tolerated by the nasal cavity tissues. Besides, it assured a much more comfortable postoperative period then what we see with nasal packings and splints.
septoplasty; fibrin glue; complications
