The effect of maxillary sinus irrigation on early prognostic factors after endoscopic sinus surgery: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Sinus irrigation has been used to treat chronic rhinosinusitis refractory to medical and surgical treatments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of maxillary sinus saline irrigation on the prevention of purulent rhinorrhea, extensive granulation formation, and polyp recurrence after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). METHODS: This prospective, controlled study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Gachon University Gil Medical Center. Between August 1, 2011, and May 31, 2012, we recruited a total of 30 patients who underwent bilateral ESS. Group A was composed of 15 patients that were treated with bilateral maxillary sinus saline irrigation for 2 months after ESS. Group B was composed of 15 patients who were followed up during the same period after ESS. We checked for persistent purulent discharge, extensive granulation, and recurrent polyps in both groups to evaluate the effects of maxillary sinus irrigation on their prevention. RESULTS: Age, gender, and preoperative Lund-Mackay scores were not significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05). In group A, one patient showed polyp recurrence. In group B, one patient showed extensive granulation tissue, two patients showed uncontrolled purulent discharge, three patients showed extensive granulation tissues and uncontrolled purulent discharge, and one patient showed recurrent polyps (p = 0.03). In addition, total endoscopic scores in the 3rd month were significantly different between groups A and B (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Maxillary sinus saline irrigation may be effective in the prevention of poor prognostic factors, such as persistent purulent discharge, at the early stages after ESS.