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.