Long-term postoperative control of eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis recurrence by inserting a steroid-eluting, sinus-bioabsorbable device reduces the dosage of oral steroid.

OBJECTIVE

We employed a steroid-eluting, sinus-bioabsorbable device for local treatment after surgery for eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS). One year later, we investigated its efficacy in suppressing recurrence and reducing the use of oral steroids.

METHODS

At one year after ECRS surgery, both 18 cases treated with a postoperative steroid-eluting, sinus-bioabsorbable device (Post-ST group) and 25 cases receiving conventional postoperative therapy (Post-Con group) showed significant improvement in the nasal symptoms (nasal obstruction, nasal discharge and olfactory dysfunction), CT score and threshold test (discrimination test).

RESULTS

The olfactory dysfunction, CT score and threshold test were significantly improved in the Post-ST group compared with the Post-Con group, but the polyp score was not. The mean total number of oral steroid tablets ingested during one year after surgery was 24.3±2.8 tablets in the Post-ST group, which was significant lower than the 36.3±3.7 tablets used in the Post-Con group.

CONCLUSION

The above results indicate that insertion of a steroid-eluting, sinus-bioabsorbable device after ECRS surgery can reduce the oral steroid intake while maintaining long-term suppression of disease recurrence.