ASSESSMENT OF NASAL IRRIGATION WITH XYLITOL IN THE POSTOPERATIVE ENDOSCOPIC SURGERIES OF PARANASAL SINUSES

Abstract

Chronic rhinosinusitis is a condition of nasal inflammation that requires multifactorial treatment, including surgery, with indication of nasal irrigation to reduce nasal symptoms. Xylitol can be associated with nasal irrigation due to its therapeutic effect. Our study aims to assess the relationship between the effects of nasal irrigation with saline solution compared to xylitol through clinical questionnaires (visual analogue scale, NOSE and SNOT-22). Fifty-two patients, divided into two groups (26 in the “Xylitol” group and 26 in the “Saline” group) answered validated questionnaires in Portuguese about their nasal symptoms (nasal obstruction, runny nose, need to blow out sneezes, among others), and general symptoms, before and after endoscopic endonasal surgery, after a period of 30 days of nasal irrigation. The “Xylitol” group showed significant improvement in pain symptoms and nasal symptoms after surgery and irrigation using a xylitol solution. The “Saline” group also showed improvement in symptoms, but to a lesser extent. Our study suggests that xylitol solutions can be used in the postoperative period of endoscopic endonasal surgery, as it leads to a greater reduction in nasal symptoms without incurring higher costs to patients.