Outcome of Post Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Nasal Irrigation with Normal Saline Versus Normal Saline with Budesonide in Patients with Sinonasal Polyposis: A Randomized Control Trial

Chronic rhinosinusitis(CRS) is a condition characterized by inflammation of the lining of nose and sinuses lasting for 12 weeks or more. CRS with nasal polyp nasal polyp(CRSwNP) is seen in 0.5–4% of the population and is present in about 20% of patients with CRS. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery aids in restoring the ventilation and drainage of paranasal sinuses. Postoperatively, various solutions are used to irrigate the sinus cavity for pharmaceutical and mechanical lavage. Hence, it is imperative to compare different solutions to choose the best to give a favorable outcome. A total of 24 postoperative CRSwNP patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group A received routine post-FESS medication as per the institute guidelines. Group B received budesonide nasal irrigation in addition to regular care. Both groups were evaluated endoscopically at 1, 4, and 12 weeks after the surgery. Pre and postoperative quality of life were compared. Endoscopic Lund–Kennedy scoring (objective measurement) and Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 score were used to compare the two groups. The mean preoperative Sino Nasal Outcomes Test 22 score(SNOT-22) was 46.58 ± 6.18 in group A and 50.5 ± 5.7 in group B. It was reduced to 15.00 ± 2.00 and 9.75 ± 1.95 postoperatively in both groups respectively at the end of 3 months. Postoperatively, the mean endoscopic score was 2.36 ± 0.80 in group A and 1.18 ± 0.40 in group B at the end of 3 months. In conclusion, saline plus budesonide nasal irrigation is a better option when compared to saline only irrigation in terms of efficacy and therapeutic effect in patients undergoing FESS for CRSwNP, hence, it should be advocated in regular clinical practice.