Comparative study between the uses of hypertonic saline versus isotonic saline nasal Irrigation following endoscopic sinus surgery

Introduction: Various nasal saline solutions have been widely used following endoscopic sinus surgery. Irrigation solutions minimize synechia formation, improve mucosal healing and enhance the removal of infective debris and crusts. Aim: This study aims to compare the efficacy of hypertonic and isotonic saline solutions in nasal irrigation following, endoscopic sinus surgery. Material and methods: Forty patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery were randomly and evenly sorted into: group “A”, which received hypertonic saline nasal irrigation, and group “B”, which received isotonic nasal irrigation The outcomes were assessed for mucociliary clearance (MCT), Lund-Kennedy endoscopic score for crusts and mucosal edema, while nasal obstruction, nasal discharge and facial pain were analyzed by SNOT22, whereby their severity was assessed by means of visual analog score. The patients were followed up for 3 weeks. Results: There was a significant difference in improvement in both groups. Group “A” MCT value on day 7 was P = 0.023, day 14 P = 0.002, and day 21 P = 0.009: for mucosal edema P = 0.009, P = 0.001, P = 0.025; and, for crusts P = 0.015, P = 0.010, P = 0.011: and, for nasal obstruction P = 0.006, P = 0.0001, P = 0.0001 respectively; and for nasal discharge and facial pain P = 0.010, P = 0.047, and P = 0.0062, P = 0.028 for days 14, and 21, respectively. Conclusion: Better results in MCT, nasal mucosal edema, crusts, nasal obstruction, discharge, and facial pain/pressure were achieved with the usage of hypertonic saline nasal irrigation.