Evaluation of the PROPEL® mini sinus implant for the treatment of frontal sinus disease.

INTRODUCTION: Propel and Propel Mini sinus implants are mometasone furoate-coated bioabsorbable stents used as an adjunct in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis after endoscopic sinus surgery. The original sinus implant was deployed in the ethmoid sinuses to provide medialization of the middle turbinate, decrease scarring and mucosal adhesions, limit polyp regrowth, and reduce mucosal inflammation. A structurally smaller version of the Propel, the Propel Mini, was developed and now has been approved for endoscopic placement in the frontal sinuses. Areas covered: This evaluation will focus on the technical details of the Propel mini, previous studies documenting Propel's success in the ethmoid sinuses, and the safety and efficacy of the Propel mini implants in frontal sinus surgery. Expert opinion: Devices such as the Propel and Propel Mini stents are the beginning of a trend towards medication-coated bioabsorbable implants that can be used for sinonasal disease to minimize complications or possible side effects of surgical treatment by an increase of topical drug delivery locally.