Effect of inhaled humidified gases on comfort in bilateral nasal catheter patients after nasal endoscopic surgery

Objective To select a cheap, portable along with avoiding cross infection method of inhaled humidified gases according to the effect of three methods for inhaled humidified gases on degree of comfort in bilateral nasal catheter patients with nasal endoscopic surgery so as to improve the compliance of humidification for nasal cavity. Methods A total of 120 bilateral nasal catheter patients with nasal endoscopic surgery were randomly divided into four groups including wet gauze group (n=30) , humidified gauze mask group (n=30) , humidifier group (n=30) and control group (n=30) . The assessment on the visual analogue scale (VAS) and SNOT-20 were carried out along with analysing the cost, convenience and acceptance in the first to the third day after surgery. Results The score of VAS in research groups was statistically higher than that in control group in the third day after surgery (P 0.05) . There were statistically significant differences in the score of SNOT-20 between wet gauze group and control group, between humidifier group and control group in the third day after surgery (P<0.05) . There was a statistically significant difference in the score of SNOT-20 between humidified gauze mask group and control group in the second and third day after surgery (P<0.05) . The score of the nasal symptom, other symptoms and sleep disorder and so on in research groups was lower than those in control group in the third day after surgery with significant differences (P<0.05) . Conclusions Three methods (wet gauze group, humidified gauze mask group, humidifier) for inhaled humidified gases can obviously improve the degree of comfort in bilateral nasal catheter patients with nasal endoscopic surgery. The clinical nursing practice should fully consider the objective condition of patients along with applying it neatly and synthetically so as to improve the quality of life of patients. Key words: Nursing; Economic benefits; Humidified; Nasal endoscopic surgery; SNOT-20