title: The clinical effects of hyaluronic acid ester nasal dressing (Merogel) on intranasal wound healing after functional endoscopic sinus surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to determine the efficacy of MeroGel, an absorbable hyaluronic acid nasal dressing (HA) in reducing synechia after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) compared with Merocel, a nonabsorbable packing (NAP) requiring removal.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a blinded, randomized, controlled trial of 37 patients requiring bilateral FESS for chronic sinusitis. Patients were randomized to placement of HA within the right or left middle meatus and NAP on the other side. Patients were evaluated at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Blinded evaluation revealed 5 patients (14%) with synechia at last follow-up: 3 sides (8%) with HA and 3 (8%) with NAP. Thirteen patients (35%) had synechia at any visit, 10 sides (27%) with HA and 9 (24%) with NAP. Seven patients (19%) required lysis of synechia, 5 sides (14%) with HA and 3 (8%) with NAP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found no statistically significant difference between HA and NAP dressings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45627, USA. linusnavypilot@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Robert Sean
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Steward
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Tami
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Sillars
authors.forename: Allen M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Seiden
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shete
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Paskowski
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Welge
mesh_terms: D001458:Bandages; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004724:Endoscopy; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000601:surgery; D000267:Tissue Adhesions; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D006820:Hyaluronic Acid