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Evaluation of the management of nasal septal haematoma and abscess: a systematic review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 October 2024

Richard Jackson Open the ORCID record for Richard Jackson [Opens in a new window] ,
Wei Jia  and
Ovie Edafe Open the ORCID record for Ovie Edafe [Opens in a new window]
Richard Jackson
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, UK
Wei Jia
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter, UK
Ovie Edafe*
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
*
Corresponding author: Ovie Edafe; Email: o.edafe1@nhs.net
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Abstract

Objective

There is limited evidence on the optimal management of nasal septal haematoma and abscess. This systemic review aims to summarise the management and outcomes and identify gaps in the literature.

Method

A systematic search of Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and CINAHL was done. We included all studies on management of paediatric and adult patients with nasal septal haematoma or nasal septal abscess.

Results

Seventeen articles were included (15 retrospective and 2 prospective) totalling 503 patients. Prophylactic antibiotics generally are used in nasal septal haematoma. Most septal collections were drained under general anaesthetic, and incision and drainage used in all. Quilting sutures, drains, nasal packing or a combination of these surgical techniques were described. Re-collection occurred in 18 of the 503 (3.6 per cent) patients.

Conclusion

Low rates of re-collection following incision and drainage are reported. There is a lack of well-designed studies that stratify outcomes and morbidity of nasal septal abscess and nasal septal haematoma based on mode of treatment.

Keywords

nasal septumhematomaabscessretrospective studyprospective study
Type
Review Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , First View , pp. 1 - 7
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED.

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Footnotes

Ovie Edafe takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper.

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