Study design
MUSCLE RELAXATION
General anesthesia was standardized for all participants with intravenous induction of propofol (2 mg/kg), sufentanil (0.4 μg/kg), and cisatracurium (0.2 mg/kg). Tracheal intubation was performed 2.5 min later. Anesthesia maintenance was achieved by propofol (4–8 mg/kg/h for a bispectral index/BIS range of 40–60) and remifentanil (0.15‒0.20 μg/kg/h). Cisatracurium (0.05 mg/kg) was administered intermittently for muscle relaxation. At the end of the surgery, propofol and remifentanil infusions were discontinued. Dezocine (5 mg) and tropisetron (4 mg) were administered intravenously. Patients were transferred to the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) where they were monitored, extubated, and sent back to the wards.All patients received two Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) sponges (Merocel, Medtronic Xomed, Jacksonville, FL, USA 32216) as nasal packings at the end of the surgical procedure. The preformulated solution was injected into the sponges averagely (5 mL at each side) by a surgeon blinded to the agent.