Postoperative Nasal Irrigation Using Mucolytic Agents
Status:
Unknown status
Trial end date:
2013-12-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Nasal irrigation techniques have been used for many years and been shown to improve symptoms
of rhinosinusitis. Although there is a wealth of literature available, establishing treatment
protocols can be difficult because of the great variability in recommended composition
(seawater or hypertonic or isotonic saline with or without additives) and irrigation
technique (variations in pressure and volume). Nasal irrigation is also used in many centers
as part of postoperative treatment protocols and in particular has been recommended following
endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Nasal crusting and thick nasal discharge have a negative
impact on these patients quality of life (QOL). At the time of our study, there are no
studies comparing irrigation with mucolysis with saline irrigation following ESS. The
investigators aimed to assess whether mucolysis is effective at improving patients QOL and
reducing postoperative signs as assessed endoscopically.