title: Evaluation of middle meatal stenting after minimally invasive sinus techniques (MIST).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this study, we compared postoperative synechia rates and morbidity for different middle meatal (MM) stents after minimally invasive sinus techniques (MIST).
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective study, we included 100 patients with bilateral chronic sinusitis undergoing MIST at a tertiary care facility with a single surgeon.
  
  
  METHODS
  For all patients, MeroGel stents were placed in the right MM, Gelfilm stents were placed in the left MM. Follow-up consisted of 3 postoperative visits between weeks 1 and 12 with endoscopic evaluation for synechia, granulation tissue, stent retention, nasal obstruction, headache, and infection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Synechia developed in 4 patients on the left and in none on the right (P = 0.04). There were no significant side-specific differences regarding postoperative nasal congestion, headache, or sinusitis. Mean stent retention time was 7.9 days for MeroGel and 5.6 days for Gelfilm (P = 0.0004).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared with Gelfilm, Merogel MM stents produced less synechia; Merogel retains its position in the MM longer than Gelfilm; and the incidence of postoperative MM synechia can be reduced when absorbable MM stents are used in conjunction with MIST.
authors.affiliation: Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA 01805, USA. Peter.J.Catalano@Lahey.org
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Catalano
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Roffman
mesh_terms: D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D005780:Gelatin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009296:Nasal Cavity; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000601:surgery*; D015607:Stents; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: C015233:gelatin film; D005780:Gelatin