Peter-John Wormald1, Tim Cain, Lyndell Oates, Lianne Hawke, Ian Wong. 1. Department of Surgery-Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Adelaide, Woodville South 5011, South Australia, Australia. peterj.wormald@adelaide.edu.au
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of three methods of nasal irrigation on distributing saline to the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. DESIGN: : A prospective, cross-over study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve subjects (9 patients with chronic sinusitis after functional endoscopic sinus surgery and 3 healthy controls) underwent nasal irrigation with normal saline containing Technetium 99m sulfur colloid. The distribution of radioactivity was assessed on each subject after three different irrigation techniques: metered nasal spray, nebulization with RinoFlow, and nasal douching while kneeling with the head on the floor. RESULTS: The nasal cavity was well irrigated by all three techniques. Compared with the other two methods, douching was significantly more effective in penetrating the maxillary sinus (P = .036) and frontal recess (P = .003). The sphenoid and frontal sinuses were poorly irrigated by all three techniques. CONCLUSION: Nasal douches are more effective in distributing irrigation solution to the maxillary sinus and frontal recess. This should be the method of choice for irrigating these areas.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of three methods of nasal irrigation on distributing saline to the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. DESIGN: : A prospective, cross-over study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve subjects (9 patients with chronic sinusitis after functional endoscopic sinus surgery and 3 healthy controls) underwent nasal irrigation with normal saline containing Technetium 99m sulfur colloid. The distribution of radioactivity was assessed on each subject after three different irrigation techniques: metered nasal spray, nebulization with RinoFlow, and nasal douching while kneeling with the head on the floor. RESULTS: The nasal cavity was well irrigated by all three techniques. Compared with the other two methods, douching was significantly more effective in penetrating the maxillary sinus (P = .036) and frontal recess (P = .003). The sphenoid and frontal sinuses were poorly irrigated by all three techniques. CONCLUSION: Nasal douches are more effective in distributing irrigation solution to the maxillary sinus and frontal recess. This should be the method of choice for irrigating these areas.
Authors: Kai Zhao; John R Craig; Noam A Cohen; Nithin D Adappa; Sammy Khalili; James N Palmer Journal: Laryngoscope Date: 2015-10-15 Impact factor: 3.325