Scanning electron microscopy of hydroxylated polyvinyl acetal and conventional gauze strip nasal packing materials

The application of nasal packing is one of the most commonly performed proc edures in rhinology. Various materials have been used as nasal packing, inc luding conventional gauze strips and hydroxylated polyvinyl acetal. Complic ations related to nasal packing may cause problems that lend to increased m orbidity. Among those complications, infectious ones range from localized i nfection in the nasal cavity to toxic shock syndrome. The purpose of this s tudy was to evaluate conventional gauze strips and hydroxylated polyvinyl a cetal nasal packing materials by scanning electron microscopy to reveal the ir surface characteristics that would promote or prevent the development of infectious complications. The two types of materials were examined before and after application into the nasal cavity. Scanning electron microscopy d emonstrated that hydroxylated polyvinyl acetal material had a smooth surfac e, whereas conventional gauze strips had an ii-regular surface with fibers projecting, thus increasing the surface area for bacterial adherence and al lowing possible evasion of bacteria from the elements of the immune system within this fibrillar structure.