Efficacy of hypertonic (2.3%) sea water in patients with aspirin-induced chronic rhinosinusitis following endoscopic sinus surgery

Background: Aspirin-induced chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a severe progressive persistent disease, usually associated with nasal polyps (NPs).

Aim/objective: To compare effect of hypertonic (2.3% NaCl) sea water and isotonic 0.9% NaCl on symptoms and endoscopic findings in those patients in the period of 1 month after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS).

Material and methods: This prospective, randomized study included 30 patients with aspirin-induced CRS undergoing ESS. Patients were divided into two groups of 15 subjects and one of the two nasal irrigation solutions was administered in each group. Intensity of 5 symptoms (nasal obstruction, nasal discharge/postnasal drip, facial pain/pressure, headache and trouble sleeping) and endoscopic findings were assessed during the 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th days after the nasal packs removal.

Results: We found significantly lower total symptom score (TSS) during the 7th (p?=?.009), 14th (p?=?.003), 21st (p?p?=?.001), lower total endoscopic score (TES) on the 21st (p?=?.002) and 28th day (p?=?.001), lower nasal obstruction, facial pain/pressure, headache and trouble sleeping, and lower nasal mucosal edema, nasal secretion and nasal crusting in patients treated by hypertonic sea water.

Conclusion and significance: Hypertonic sea water should be recommended douching solution in the early postoperative care of patients with aspirin-induced CRS.