title: Management of post-ethmoidectomy crust formation: randomized single-blind clinical trial comparing pressurized seawater versus antiseptic/mucolytic saline.
abstract: This study compared the efficacy of mechanical nasal lavages with pressurized seawater versus nasal irrigations with saline plus benzododecinium (antiseptic) plus oleosorbate (mucolytic). Twenty patients agreed to participate in a randomized, single-blind clinical trial. All patients underwent endoscopic endonasal ethmoidectomy for nasal polyps. The packing was removed after 48 h and patients were asked to start the same day nasal lavages three times a day. Clinical evaluations were performed: (1) by weighing residual nasal crusts and secretions after 21 +/- 2 days; and (2) by using visual analogue scales to daily record symptom scores. Data are presented as mean +/- SEM. T-test statistics for two independent groups were applied. The mean residual crust and secretion weights were 1,756 +/- 688 mg and 1,033 +/- 422 mg in the pressurized seawater group, 932 +/- 414 mg and 1,222 +/- 435 mg in the antiseptic-mucolytic saline group. No statistical differences were found. Sample size calculations showed that 100 subjects in each group would be necessary to confirm a 700-mg reduction in residual crusts in the antiseptic/mucolytic saline group (power = 0.80; two-sided type-I error = 0.05). Daily symptom score curves were similar in both groups and allowed us to give a description of post-operative complaints. The role of antiseptic, mucolytic and mechanical lavages in preventing post-ethmoidectomy crust formation is discussed.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Central Hospital, Henri Poincaré University, Nancy, France.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Pigret
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Jankowski
mesh_terms: D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004724:Endoscopy; D005005:Ethmoid Sinus / Q000601:surgery*; D005100:Expectorants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000601:surgery*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D012623:Seawater; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds; D004202:Disinfectants; D005100:Expectorants; D012965:Sodium Chloride; C015163:dimethyldodecylbenzylammonium