A preliminary randomised controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of saline douching following endoscopic sinus surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether saline reduces postoperative signs following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS).


METHODS
Within subject, single blinded randomised controlled trial.


METHODS
Single secondary referral centre.


METHODS
Adults undergoing bilateral ESS for chronic rhinosinusitis or nasal polyposis.


METHODS
Saline douching of one side of the nasal cavity, three times per day for 6 weeks.


METHODS
Presence of adhesions, polyps, crusting, discharge or oedema under endoscopic examination at 3 weeks and 3 months postoperative.


RESULTS
Twenty-three patients were recruited. Attendance was 22 patients at 3 weeks and 17 patients at 3 months. At 3 weeks saline douching significantly improved the presence of discharge (P = 0.046) and non-significantly improved the presence of oedema (P = 0.059) with minimal difference with regard to polyps (P = 0.32) and no difference with adhesions or crusting. At 3 months there was minimal difference with regard to crusting (P = 0.18) and oedema (P = 0.32) and no difference with adhesions, discharge and polyps.


CONCLUSIONS
Saline douching reduces nasal discharge and may improve oedema during the healing phase following ESS which may represent a possible anti-inflammatory role. No long-term effect was found.
Freeman
S R M
SR
Department of Otolaryngology, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Lancashire, UK. simonfreeman71@gmail.com
Sivayoham
E S G
ES
Jepson
K
K
de Carpentier
J
J
D000328:Adult; D004724:Endoscopy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000601:surgery*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000601:surgery*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000601:surgery*; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D055815:Young Adult
D012965:Sodium Chloride