A feasibility study to evaluate a novel drug delivery technique through nasal/sinus mucosa using a biodegradable polymer in a guinea pig model.

Objective: Targeted topical pharmaceuticals have fewer side effects than systemic therapy and present an interesting option to treat chronic sinus disease. A simple, dependable, resorbable drug delivery mechanism has been elusive. The goal of this study is to examine the feasibility of a novel bioresorbable synthetic polymer for drug delivery in nose and sinuses.

Study Design: Feasibility study.

Setting: Animal study.

Subjects And Methods: Polyurethane sponges soaked in either triamcinolone or gentamicin were placed in the ethmoid cavities of 14 guinea pigs via an external approach; 2 additional animals served as controls. Serum levels of each drug were assayed at intervals up to 21 days. Histopathological examination of the relevant sinonasal anatomy of each animal was performed after 21 days.

Results: Serum levels of each drug were detectable between days 1 and 21. There were no significant differences in the histopathological examination of nasal mucosa in guinea pigs in which either drug was applied compared with control animals in which the bioabsorbable material was soaked in saline. The polyurethane sponge did not cause any foreign body reaction, granuloma, or polypoidal change to the sinus mucosa. Two animals developed a subclinical infection at the surgical site.

Conclusion: The targeted use of topical pharmaceuticals via a synthetic bioresorbable nasal sponge dressing in this guinea pig model demonstrated minimal systemic absorption and minimal histopathological changes. This technology is currently under investigation in human clinical trials.