The effect of high-dose topical corticosteroid therapy on prevention of recurrent nasal polyps after revision endoscopic sinus surgery.

Background: Topical corticosteroid spray is widely used after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) to reduce the recurrence of polyposis. However, it has not always shown satisfactory results in clinical practice. We compared the effects of topical spray and high-dose topical steroid gauze packing on the prevention of recurrent nasal polyps after ESS.

Methods: We selected 32 patients with recurrent nasal polyps after ESS. In group 1, 18 patients were treated with topical steroid spray and in group 2, 14 patients were treated with triamcinolone acetonide-soaked (40 mg) gauze packing once a week for 2 months after revision ESS. We observed the recurrence of polyps between the two groups for 12 months.

Results: Polyps recurred in 8 of 18 patients in group 1 compared with 1 of 14 patients in group 2 (p = 0.044).

Conclusion: High-dose topical corticosteroid therapy may be more effective than low-dose topical therapy in preventing recurrent nasal polyps.