title: Hyaluronic Acid: Perspectives in Upper Aero-Digestive Tract. A Systematic Review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To date, topical therapies guarantee a better delivery of high concentrations of pharmacologic agents to the mucosa of the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT). The use of topical drugs, which are able to reduce mucosal inflammation and to improve healing tissues, can represent a relevant therapeutic advance. Topical sodium hyaluronate (SH) has recently been recognized as adjuvant treatment in the chronic inflammatory disease of the UADT.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our work was to review the published literature regarding all the potential therapeutic effects of SH in the chronic inflammatory disease of UADT.
  
  
  METHODS
  Relevant published studies were searched in Pubmed, Google Scholar, Ovid using keywords ("sodium hyaluronate" and "upper airways") or Medical Subject Headings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the end of our selection process, sixteen publications have been included. Six of them in the post-operative period of nasal-sinus surgery, 2 of them in pediatric patients affected by recurrent upper respiratory tract infections, 4 of them in reducing symptoms and preventing exacerbations of chronic upper airways in adult population, 4 of them in patients with chronic inflammatory disease of UADT, including gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topical administration of SH plays a pivotkey role in the postoperative phase of patients undergoing FESS and nasal surgery, and positive results are generally observed in all the patients suffering from UADT chronic inflammatory disease.
authors.affiliation: Area of Otolaringology, University Campus Bio-Medico, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Manuele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Casale
authors.affiliation: Area of Otolaringology, University Campus Bio-Medico, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moffa
authors.affiliation: Area of Otolaringology, University Campus Bio-Medico, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sabatino
authors.affiliation: Area of Otolaringology, University Campus Bio-Medico, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pace
authors.affiliation: Area of Otolaringology, University Campus Bio-Medico, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Oliveto
authors.affiliation: Bio-Statistical Department, University Campus Bio-Medico, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vitali
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaringology, University of Navarra, Campus Universitario, Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Baptista
authors.affiliation: Area of Otolaringology, University Campus Bio-Medico, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Salvinelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D009666:Nose / Q000601:surgery; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000187:drug effects / Q000601:surgery; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D006820:Hyaluronic Acid