A prospective single-blind randomized controlled study of use of hyaluronic acid nasal packs in patients after endoscopic sinus surgery.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether there was any benefit or detrimental consequences of placing a hyaluronic acid pack (Merogel) into the middle meatus after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS).

Methods: A randomized controlled blinded study was performed in 42 patients with chronic sinusitis undergoing ESS. The patients were randomized to receive Merogel on one side and no packing on the other side.

The effect of a hyaluronic acid-based nasal pack on mucosal healing in a sheep model of sinusitis.

Background: A hyaluronic acid-based nasal pack has been shown previously to have a beneficial effect on mucosal healing in a healthy sheep model. However, endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) usually is performed in the presence of infection and inflammation. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of hyaluronic acid-based nasal packing on mucosal healing in a sheep model of chronic sinusitis.

The effect of the total intravenous anesthesia compared with inhalational anesthesia on the surgical field during endoscopic sinus surgery.

Background: Bleeding during endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) may increase complications and negatively effect the surgery and its outcome. The aim of this study was to compare the surgical field in patients in whom total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) is used as opposed to inhalation anesthesia. A prospective randomized controlled trial was performed.

Fungal-specific humoral response in eosinophilic mucus chronic rhinosinusitis.

Objectives/hypothesis: An immunoglobulin (Ig)E-mediated allergic pathogenesis is presumed in allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS), yet extensive polyps and eosinophilic mucus (EM) in the paranasal sinuses may also occur in the absence of allergy. Although a noninvasive fungal pathogenesis is presumed in all chronic rhinosinusitis with EM (EMCRS), fungal-specific nonallergic immune responses have not been thoroughly investigated. We tested the hypothesis that there is a fungal-specific humoral response in EMCRS and that it is not confined to IgE.

Effect of using multiple culture media for the diagnosis of noninvasive fungal sinusitis.

Background: This study was designed to assess the relative efficiency of three different culture media for isolating fungi in patients suspected of having noninvasive fungal sinusitis.

Methods: A prospective study was performed of 209 operative samples of sinus "fungal-like" mucin from 134 patients on 171 occasions and processed for microscopy and fungal culture in Sabouraud's dextrose agar, potato dextrose agar, and broth media.

Results: Ninety-three (69%) of 134 patients had evidence of fungal infection.

Endoscopic sinus surgery rescue of failed osteoplastic flap with fat obliteration.

Purpose Of Review: The modified endoscopic Lothrop procedure has been used as an alternative to osteoplastic flap with obliteration in the management of chronic frontal sinusitis. More recently it has been used to rescue cases of failed osteoplastic flap. This article reviews the recent literature regarding endoscopic rescue of failed osteoplastic flap with obliteration.