Steroid-eluting Stents Research Articles

Choanal atresia: a review of contemporary treatment strategies.

Choanal atresia (CA) is a congenital nasal airway anomaly that, when present bilaterally, requires urgent surgical intervention. Surgical technique has evolved since its inception with most practices now favoring an endoscopic repair. Restenosis requiring revision surgery is a frequent complication, occurring in as many as 50% of cases. This review aims to highlight the most common surgical approaches, techniques used to prevent restenosis, and newer adjuncts to surgery that may improve outcomes. Bioabsorbable, steroid-eluting stents were first developed for the adult chronic rhinosinusitis population but have been adapted for use in choanal atresia since 2017. The existing literature consists of multiple case series and one case-control study comparing these stents to traditional stents. To date, there have been no reports of restenosis or stent-related complications with these newer products. Choanal atresia remains a difficult surgical pathology for which sustainable surgical results can be challenging. There is reason for optimism in bioabsorbable, steroid-eluting stents as an adjunct to CA repair if future studies expound upon their safety and efficacy.

Difficult-to-treat chronic rhinosinusitis-when thestandard treatment is not effective and biologics are not available

In recent years, significant improvements have been made in the treatment options for uncontrolled chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) refractory to standard medical and surgical therapy. This is the result of abetter understanding of the pathophysiology and the resulting development of biologicals for CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). However, biologics are not (yet) available for all patients in Europe. Based on the session "Difficult-to-treat CRS, when biologics are not available" at the 29thCongress of the European Rhinologic Society (ERS) 2023 in Sofia, Bulgaria, the treatment options for uncontrolled CRS with the exclusion of biologics will be discussed. The content of the presentations "Is there aplace for antibiotics?" "Indications for revision surgery," "Novel systemic treatment options," "Novel local treatment options," and "Phototherapy for nasal polyps" are outlined and supported by areview of the literature. Various treatment options are available for managing uncontrolled CRS, even if biologic treatments are unavailable. Treatment options for type‑2 (T2)CRS include steroid rinses, repeated short-term oral steroids, steroid-eluting stents, and extended sinus surgery. In the case of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-exacerbated respiratory disease (NERD), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) desensitization can be considered. Non-T2 endotypes or CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) may benefit from several weeks of macrolides and xylitol rinses. To accurately assess the efficacy of second-line therapies for treatment of difficult-to-treat CRS within an endotype-specific framework, additional controlled clinical trials are needed that take into account the heterogeneity of CRS endotypes.

Association of Comorbid Asthma and the Efficacy of Bioabsorbable Steroid-eluting Sinus Stents Implanted After Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps

ObjectiveTo identify factors affecting the efficacy of steroid-eluting sinus stents implanted after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP).MethodsWe performed a post-hoc analysis of a randomized self-controlled clinical trial on post-operative implantation of bioabsorbable steroid-eluting stents in patients with CRSwNP. Univariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify which of the following factors affect the response to post-operative stent implantation: sex, serum eosinophil levels, history of prior surgery, endoscopic scores, and comorbid conditions (asthma and allergic rhinitis). The primary outcome was the rate of post-operative intervention on day 30, and the secondary outcome was the rate of polypoid tissue formation (grades 2–3) on days 14, 30, and 90.ResultsA total of 151 patients with CRSwNP were included in the post-hoc analysis. Asthma was identified as the only risk factor for a poor response to steroid-eluting sinus stents on post-operative day 30, with an odds ratio of 23.71 (95% CI, 2.81, 200.16; P=0.004) for the need for post-operative intervention and 19 (95% CI, 2.20, 164.16; P=0.003) for moderate-to-severe polypoid tissue formation. In addition, the asthmatic group showed higher rates of post-operative intervention and polypoid tissue formation than the non-asthmatic group on post-operative day 30. Blood eosinophil levels were not identified as a risk factor for poor outcomes after stent implantation.ConclusionComorbid asthma, but not blood eosinophil level, impairs the efficacy of steroid-eluting sinus stents in the short term after ESS in patients with CRSwNP.

Safety and Feasibility of Steroid-Eluting Stent as a Bolster in Endoscopic Anterior Skull Base Reconstruction.

With a rising incidence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, endoscopic endonasal CSF leak repair is increasingly performed. Current approaches utilize a variety of materials including free mucosal grafts and vascularized flaps, but post-op leaks continue to be reported. Steroid-eluting bioabsorbable stents (SES) are used during functional endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis to reduce inflammation and scarring while maintaining patency of sinus ostia. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of SES as a graft/flap bolster for endoscopic endonasal CSF leak repair. This is a retrospective review of patients undergoing endoscopic endonasal CSF leak repair with SES placed as part of the bolster technique at a tertiary care center between January 2019 and May 2022. Age, sex, BMI, comorbid idiopathic intracranial hypertension, pathology, location of CSF leak, intraoperative CSF leak flow, reconstruction type, and presence of post-op CSF leak were recorded. Twelve patients (mean age 52, median BMI 30.9, 58% female) had SES placement as part of the bolster technique. The most common pathology was meningoencephalocele (75%). Reconstruction was performed with either a free mucosal graft (6), or a flap (6). No post-op CSF leaks occurred at a reconstruction site with a stent, and no known complications were reported. All sinusotomies were patent at the last follow-up visit. SES placement as an adjunct to graft and/or flap bolster appears to be safe and feasible during anterior skull base reconstruction and CSF leak repair providing longer term structural support and preserving sinus drainage patency.

Ostial Patency Measurements After Endoscopic Sphenoidotomies and Frontal Sinusotomies.

Sphenoid and frontal sinuses have narrow ostia and are prone to stenosis. However, their relative rates of patency are not well established, and descriptive rates of sphenoid stenosis have never been reported. The objective is to measure the patency of the sphenoid and frontal sinus ostia postoperatively. A prospective multi-institutional cohort study was performed. Ostial patency was measured at surgery and 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Pertinent clinical history such as the presence of nasal polyps and prior history of ESS as well as the use of steroid eluting stents were recorded. Overall stenosis rates were calculated for both the sphenoid and frontal sinuses, and Wilcoxon-Signed Rank Test was used to compare intraoperative and postoperative ostial areas. Factorial Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine effects of 5 clinical factors. Fifty patients were included. The mean sphenoid sinus ostial area decreased 42.2% in size from baseline to 3 months postoperatively (T0 55.2 ± 28.7 mm vs T3 m 31.8 ± 25.5 mm, P < .001). The mean frontal sinus ostial area decreased 39.8% in size from baseline to 3 months postoperatively (T0 33.7 ± 17.2 mm vs T3 m 19.9 ± 15.1 mm, P < .001). Neither the sphenoid nor the frontal sinus ostial patency demonstrated statistically significant change from 3 to 6 months postoperatively. Both sphenoid and frontal sinus ostia routinely narrow postoperatively, predominately from baseline to 3 months. These findings can serve as a reference for both clinical outcomes and future studies of these surgeries.

The efficacy and safety of several interventions of corticosteroids for CRSwNP patients after endoscope sinus surgery: A protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Corticosteroid has been a mainstay of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) medical therapy. While endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) will be performed when patients had failed to respond to maximal medical therapy. Many studies shown that several corticosteroids of interventions (e.g., nasal spray, oral, atomization/nebulization, nasal irrigation, direct infiltration, and steroid-eluting stent, etc) have each demonstrated significant efficacy compared with placebo or no corticosteroids intervention except intranasal corticosteroids for the treatment of CRSwNP after ESS. The aim of this systematic review and network meta-analysis is to answer the following question: which 1 is the best corticosteroid of intervention for CRSwNP patients after ESS? A systematic review will be conducted to identify studies involving randomized controlled trials which compared several different interventions of corticosteroids (e.g., nasal spray, oral, atomization/nebulization, nasal irrigation, direct infiltration, steroid-eluting stent, etc) for CRSwNP patients after ESS. The primary outcomes are efficacy (e.g., effective rate or cure rate), visual analogic scale of symptom severity, Lund-Kennedy endoscopic score, adverse events, and so on. We will comprehensively search PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wangfang and VIP journal database from inception to July, 2022. For studies which meet our inclusion criteria, 2 reviewers will extract data independently and assess the quality of literature using a revision of version 2 of the Cochrane risk of bias tool (RoB 2.0). A random effects model will be used for all pairwise meta-analyses (with a 95% confidence interval). Network meta-analyses will be conducted to generate estimates of comparative effectiveness of each intervention class and rankings of their effectiveness. The results of this study expect to provide a high-quality, evidence-based recommendation on which 1 is the best corticosteroid of intervention for CRSwNP patients after ESS? This study will provide evidence regarding the comparability of several interventions of corticosteroids for CRSwNP patients after ESS. Also, the data generated from this review will provide health-care providers with a clear evidence synthesis of CRSwNP patients after ESS management strategies. These data will be incorporated into the development of a patient decision aid to assist patients and clinicians in making a preference-based decision when faced with a CRSwNP patients after ESS as well.

Short-term postoperative efficacy of steroid-eluting stents for eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: A randomized clinical trial.

Eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (ECRSwNP) is a refractory clinical phenotype with a high symptom burden and relapse rate. Steroid-eluting stents are safe and effective for reducing polyp size, symptom burden, and the need for revision sinus surgery. In this study we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of steroid-eluting stent implantation on the surgical outcomes of patients with ECRSwNP. This prospective, multicenter, randomized, intrapatient-controlled trial recruited patients 18 to 65 years of age with ECRSwNP who required surgery. Ninety-eight patients were enrolled and randomly implanted with absorbable steroid-eluting stents containing mometasone furoate in one sinus at the end of surgery. All patients received standard postoperative care and follow-up. The primary outcome was the Lund-Kennedy endoscopic score within 12weeks postsurgery. Secondary outcomes included nasal symptoms scores, nasal resistance, acoustic rhinometry, nasal nitric oxide levels, 3-dimensional volumetric computed tomography scores, and eosinophil counts in the ethmoid mucosa. Ninety-five patients completed the trial. At postoperative weeks 4, 8, and 12, the Lund-Kennedy scores were significantly lower on the treatment side than on the control side (all p<0.01). Compared with the treatment side, the control side exhibited higher tissue eosinophilia at week 4 and higher volumetric, nasal obstruction, and total nasal symptom scores at postoperative week 8 (p=0.011, p=0.011, p<0.01, and p=0.001, respectively). No adrenal cortical suppression or serious side effects were observed. Steroid-eluting stents reduce postoperative sinus mucosal edema, and eosinophilic inflammation, with persistent effects after stent disintegration, and are a good supplementary postsurgical treatment in patients with ECRSwNP.

Indications for absorbable steroid-eluting sinus implants: Viewpoint via the Delphi method.

Absorbable steroid-eluting sinus implants provide targeted corticosteroid release over a sustained period and are designed to prevent both undesirable adhesion formation and sinus ostia restenosis. Here, we highlight the key evidence of these implants to date and query a group of experts via a Delphi process on the indications and optimal timing for intraoperative or in-office placement of these implants. Six of a total of 12 statements reached consensus and were accepted. Overall, experts largely agree that intraoperative or in-office use of steroid-eluting stents could be considered for patients: (1) who are diabetic or intolerant of oral steroids, (2) undergoing extended frontal sinus surgery, and (3) with recurrent stenosis. Given the lack of expert consensus on other key statements, clinicians should carefully consider these treatment options on a case-by-case basis after shared decision-making.

Studies on efficacy of a bioabsorbable steroid-eluting sinus stent in the frontal sinus opening of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps

Objective: To assess the efficacy of a bioabsorbable steroid-eluting sinus stent in improving surgical outcomes when placed in the frontal sinus ostium (FSO) following full endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in patients with whole group chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Methods: Patients with whole group CRSwNP who had similar lesions on bilateral sinus between September 2019 and March 2020 in Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Changhai Hospital were chosen. Patients with CRSwNP who underwent extended ESS were randomly assigned to receive a steroid-eluting sinus stent in one FSO whereas the contralateral side received surgery alone. Endoscopic evaluations recorded at 30, 90 days postoperative were graded by an independent assessment panel to assess the need for interventions in the FSO. Semi-quantitative data with CT and endoscopic score were performed by rank sum test. The need for postoperative intervention and the patency rate of FSO were analyzed using the McNemar test. Results: Thirty-one patients with whole group CRSwNP met all eligible criteria, including 17 males and 14 females, with the age of (44.5±11.8) years(x¯±s). Stents were successfully placed in one FSO of all patients. At 30 days post-ESS, the assessment panel reported that steroid-eluting stents reduced the need for postoperative interventions by 41.0% (χ2=5.314,P=0.021), the need for oral steroid interventions by 40.0% (χ2=4.133,P=0.042) and the need for surgical interventions by 74.8% (χ2=4.292,P=0.038) compared to control sinuses with no stents. Clinical surgeons also reported greater diameter of FSO compared to control sinuses at 30 days post-ESS (74.2% vs 48.4%, χ2=4.351, P=0.037). These results at 90 days post-ESS were consistent with those at 30 days post-ESS. Conclusion: Bioabsorbable steroid-eluting sinus stents in the FSO can reduce polyp formation, adhesion, and the need for postoperative interventions in FSO of CRSwNP patients and improve the early postoperative outcomes.

Postoperative Infection Rate and Associated Factors Following Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

There is a paucity of data on postoperative infections after endoscopic sinus surgery and associated risk factors. Our objective was to evaluate a cohort of patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for chronic rhinosinusitis to determine which perioperative factors may be associated with infection in the 30-day postoperative period. A retrospective cohort study of adults who underwent ESS at a tertiary academic medical center from 2015 to 2018 was performed. The primary outcome was incidence of postoperative infection, defined by identification of sinus purulence on nasal endoscopy necessitating antibiotics within 30 days of surgery. Independent variables collated included the result of postoperative cultures and use of perioperative antibiotics, oral corticosteroids, packing, and steroid-eluting stents. Statistical analysis involved bivariate analysis to identify variables that correlated with postoperative infection and subsequent multivariate logistic regression to identify independent risk factors. Three hundred seventy-eight unique ESS cases performed in 356 patients were reviewed. The mean age was 46 years (range, 18-87). The most common indication for surgery was chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyposis. The postoperative infection rate was 10.1%. The most commonly cultured pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that postoperative systemic corticosteroid use was the only risk factor independently associated with infection (OR 3.47 [95% CI 1.23-9.76], P = .018). The incidence of postoperative infection following ESS was 10.1%. The use of postoperative systemic corticosteroids independently increased the risk of infection by 3.47-fold.

Steroid eluting biocompatible stent for subglottic stenosis.

Develop a prototype steroid eluting stent suitable for endoscopic treatment of subglottic stenosis. Rectangular-shaped spoke design stents thermally molded into horseshoe-shaped stents were developed using AutoCAD program, and printed on a Lulzbot 3D printer with polycaprolactone (PCL). Kenalog saturated AEROSIL 200 was embedded in the PCL filament. Horizontal radial force measurements were measured at baseline, 1day, and 1month when deformation switched from bending to compression. Amount of Kenalog eluted after 1day, 1week and 1month were measured using HPLC. Horizontal pressure applied to the PCL stent corresponding to a 5-0 ET were 1.27±0.38lb. at baseline, 1.79±0.045lb. at 1day, 1.94±-0.22lb. at 1week and 2.07±0.11lb. at 1month. The horizontal pressure applied to PCL stent corresponding to an 8-0 ET tube were 0.82±0.018lb. at baseline, 1.008±0.045lb. at 1day, 0.95±-0.064lb. at 1week and 1.078±0.021lb. at 1month. The amount of Kenalog eluted increased from 5.78µg/mL at 1day to 15.01µg/mL at 1week to 19.35µg/mL at 1month. This proof-of-concept project is an initial step to demonstrate and create a novel stent in the treatment of subglottic stenosis that applies expansile force on the trachea, elutes steroids and dissolves. Over time the expansile force along the trachea increases allowing the PCL to mucosalize, while it dissolves and continues to elute steroids. The limitations of this in vitro study necessitate experiments on animal models, such as rabbit tracheas to observe for complications and histologic changes. This proof-of-concept project is a Level 5 mechanism-based reasoning study.

Choanal Atresia Repair With Stents and Flaps: A Systematic Review Article.

BackgroundChoanal Atresia is an obliteration by an atretic plate of the posterior choanae due to a failure of the bucconasal membrane to rupture. The insertion of stents post choanal atresia repair is familiar. Still, there are limited studies in the literature that specify the time to remove it, the best materials, and the effectiveness of each kind.ObjectiveOur study aims to compare different types of choanal atresia stents and flaps and the outcome of different kinds of stents and flaps that use post-operatively. Also, to assess the risk of restenosis post-operatively with varying types of Stent and flaps.MethodsA systematic review via databases for different types of stents and flaps used in choanal atresia, including 31 studies with precise technique, variety of stents, restenosis rates, and risk factors (unilaterality, the component of the atretic plate). And about 10 different approaches to flaps reconstruction were mentioned.ResultsAccording to the data, we observed a successful rate of choanal atresia repair by using the ordinary ETT post-operatively ranged from 28 to 94.2%, which could be explained due to many factors. Post-operative Instructions on care and suctioning provided a good impact. Other types of stents found in case series like steroid eluting stents, Nelaton catheters, Silastic stents, or modified ETT have a promising future during 26 to 39 weeks follow-up. Still, they need further studies with randomization and more data. Flaps with different approaches and techniques showed promising results and fewer complication rates with or without stents, also now have been used in practice providing suitable alternatives for stents.ConclusionThe original types of choanal atresia stents were shown to have a wide variety of results, while innovative materials of stents showed promising results, however, in relatively small case studies. Flaps were now used in practice giving other choices for stents with fewer complications, better healing, and new choana formation.

Combination of the endoscopic septonasal flap technique and bioabsorbable steroid-eluting stents for repair of congenital choanal atresia in neonates and infants: a retrospective study

BackgroundMultiple surgical approaches have been proposed to repair the congenital choanal atresia. However, there remains no general consensus about the optimal surgical technique. This study aimed to describe and evaluate outcomes of the endoscopic septonasal flap technique combined with bioabsorbable steroid-eluting stents for repair of congenital choanal atresia in neonates and infants.MethodsClinical data of 37 neonates and infants with congenital choanal atresia who received nasal endoscopic surgery with the flap technique between January 2018 and July 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. All patients underwent the ultra‑low‑dose paranasal sinus computed tomography imaging preoperatively to confirm diagnosis and plan the surgery. In these patients, the mirrored L-shaped flap technique was performed for bilateral atresia and the cross-over L-shaped flap technique was performed for unilateral atresia. A total of 22 patients had silicone stents postoperatively and 15 patients had bioabsorbable steroid-eluting stents postoperatively. Silicone stents were removed at one month postoperatively under secondary general anesthesia, while no anesthesia was needed to remove the bioabsorbable steroid-eluting stents. Postoperative follow-up ranged from 10 months to 3 years.ResultsThe septonasal flap technique was performed in all patients. Compared with the silicone stents group, the average operative duration and the hospital length of stay in the bioabsorbable steroid-eluting stents group were decreased [(97.46 ± 15.37) min vs (83.49 ± 19.16) min t = 13.733, P < 0.001] [(12.8 ± 3.22) d vs (7.67 ± 3.91) d t = 15.082, P < 0.001], the average number of procedures was reduced [(2.04 ± 0.64) vs (1.00 ± 0.00), t = 82.689, P < 0.001], the differences were statistically significant. There were no reports of postoperative restenosis and complications in the bioabsorbable steroid-eluting stents group, and follow-up endoscopic examinations showed patency and stable nasal passages in all cases.ConclusionsThe endoscopic septonasal flap technique can effectively expose and expand the choanal bony structure for repair of congenital choanal atresia in neonates and infants. The combined use of this technique along with bioabsorbable steroid-eluting stents can help prevent the need for revision procedures and also against stent-related injuries.

Comparison of Bioabsorbable Steroid-Eluting Sinus Stents Versus Nasopore After Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: A Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled, Single-Blinded Clinical Trial.

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of bioabsorbable steroid-eluting sinus stents versus absorbable Nasopore packs after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). One hundred eighty-one patients with CRS who underwent ESS were randomly assigned to receive a steroid-eluting sinus stent in one ethmoid sinus cavity, whereas the contralateral control side received a Nasopore pack. Endoscopic evaluations were performed 14, 30, and 90 days after the ESS. Postoperative intervention, polyp formation, adhesions, and middle turbinate (MT) position were assessed as efficacy outcomes. The stents were successfully deployed in all 181 sinuses. Thirty days after the ESS, the stents significantly reduced the need for surgical intervention compared to the Nasopore (P < .0001). The percentage of cases with polyp formation was significantly lower on the stent sides compared with the Nasopore sides (P < .0001) at 14, 30, and 90 days after ESS. The percentage of severe adhesion was significantly lower on the stents sides than on the Nasopore sides at postoperative day 90 (P = .0003), whereas they were not significantly lower at postoperative days 14 and 30. There were no significant differences between the stent sides and the Nasopore sides regarding the frequency of MT lateralization at all end points. No device-related adverse events occurred. Our study demonstrated significant improvement in the early postoperative outcomes by reducing the need for postoperative surgical intervention and polyp formation using steroid-eluting stents when compared with absorbable Nasopore packs. The steroid-eluting sinus stents and the Nasopore packs were each effective in preserving the ethmoid sinus patency and in preventing MT lateralization. A further prospective cohort study with long-term postoperative outcomes is warranted.

Surgeon cost feedback through a surgical receipt program reduces cost in sinonasal surgery.

Operating room (OR) costs are a large portion of healthcare expenses. This study evaluates the impact of a surgeon-targeted surgical receipt cost feedback system on OR supply costs in sinonasal surgery and individual components contributing to procedural cost. Itemized weekly surgical receipts detailing individual case supply costs were analyzed before and after the implementation of a non-incentivized surgeon cost feedback system between January 2017 and June 2019. Supply cost data collected 15 months prior to intervention was compared to cost data 15 months after implementation of the weekly automated receipt dissemination to surgeons. Chi square test was used for categorical data and the Wilcoxon test was used to compare change in cost. Univariate and mediation analyses were performed to assess variables impacting cost. Of 502 sinonasal procedures analyzed, 239 were before and 264 after cost feedback implementation. There were no significant differences in age/gender, or indication for surgery. The median OR supply cost decreased from $1229.64 to $1097.22 (p = 0.02) after receipt implementation. There were effects of procedure type (p = 0.02), circulating nurse specialization (p < 0.001), steroid eluting stent (p = 0.002), and sinus drill (p < 0.001) on cost. Mediation analysis confirmed full mediation by decreasing use of steroid-eluting stents. Surgeon cost feedback in the form of individualized OR surgical receipts is an effective model to reduce supply cost per case in sinonasal surgery.

Use of Steroid-Eluting Stents after Endoscopic Repair of Choanal Atresia: A Case Series with Review.

To describe a single institution's experience with the use of steroid-eluting stents after endoscopic transnasal repair of choanal atresia. A case series with review of children who underwent choanal atresia repair at a tertiary children's hospital from June 2017 to January 2018 was performed. Those who had a mometasone drug-eluting stent (Propel® Mini, Intersect ENT Inc., Palo Alto, CA) placed after primary or secondary choanal atresia repair at our institution were included. The primary outcome measure was need for revision surgery due to stenosis. Postoperative regimens, duration of stenting, and need for return to the operating room (OR) were also assessed. Five patients with a median age of 22 months at the time of repair met inclusion criteria. Two (40%) had bilateral atresia and 3 (60%) had confirmed CHARGE syndrome. A total of 6 mometasone drug-eluting stents were used in the 5 cases. Three patients were reassessed at least once in the OR; however, the majority (57.1%) of postoperative evaluations were able to be performed in the office or bedside setting. The first and last evaluations occurred a mean of 14 and 124 days after surgery, respectively. There were no instances of restenosis, repeat surgical interventions, or stent-related complications noted. Placement of a mometasone drug-eluting stent is a promising method to improve postoperative results and management of choanal atresia repair by limiting the need for repeat anesthetics and OR procedures, as well as the complications of traditional stents.

Comparison of steroid-releasing stents vs nonabsorbable packing as middle meatal spacers.

A randomized controlled trial was held to compare nonabsorbable packs to steroid-eluting absorbable stents as middle meatal spacers after endoscopic sinus surgery in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). CRS patients were randomly assigned to receive either nonabsorbable Merocel packs wrapped in non-latex glove material (packing type A) or Propel steroid eluting stents (packing type B). Twenty-two-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) scores were collected preoperatively and postoperatively during the initial 4 debridements up to 3 months. Recording of the nasal endoscopy was also collected during all postoperative visits. In addition, Lund-Kennedy scores and middle turbinate lateralization scores, using a new visual analogue scale, were compared between the 2 types of packing. Forty CRS patients were prospectively enrolled in this institutional review board (IRB)-approved study. Patients with packing type A had significantly lower middle turbinate lateralization scores at their first (∼10 days) postoperative visit (p = 0.02 and p = 0.04, for left and right sides, respectively). This difference disappeared by later postoperative visits (from 20 days to 3 months). Overall, patients receiving packing type A had significant lower SNOT-22 scores at 20 days postsurgery (p = 0.05). This difference also disappeared at 1 and 3 months postoperation. There were no statistically significant differences in Lund-Kennedy scores. In this study, nonabsorbable packing materials showed significant superior middle meatal spacing capacities as evidenced by greater middle turbinate medialization capability at the first postoperative visit. Additionally, patients with this type of packing saw improvements in their SNOT-22 scores at the 20-day postoperative visit. This study showed that there was no significant improvement in postoperative outcomes with drug-eluting stents when compared to nonabsorbable packing.

Efficacy of steroid-eluting stents in management of chronic rhinosinusitis after endoscopic sinus surgery: updated meta-analysis.

Recently, there has been mounting evidence suggesting the efficacy of steroid-eluting stents (SES) for management of chronic rhinosinusitis after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). This meta-analysis serves to evaluate the efficacy of SES in improving postoperative outcomes after ESS. A systematic literature search was performed of PubMed for articles published between 1985 and 2018. The outcome variables were reported at, on average, 30 days postintervention. Seven of the 76 published studies, all of which were industry-sponsored, were included for a collective cohort of 444 SES and 444 control sinuses. In patients who received SES vs controls, collective odds ratios (ORs) for postoperative need for intervention, surgery, and oral steroid were 0.45 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.33-0.62; p < 0.001), 0.30 (95% CI, 0.18-0.52; p < 0.001), and 0.58 (95% CI, 0.40-0.84; p = 0.004), respectively. In addition, collective ORs for frontal sinus ostia (FSO) patency, moderate-to-severe adhesion/scarring, and increase in polyp score were 2.53 (95% CI, 1.61-3.97; p < 0.001), 0.28 (95% CI, 0.13-0.59; p < 0.001), and 0.42 (95% CI, 0.25-0.74; p = 0.002), respectively. Collective mean differences for FSO/ethmoid inflammation and FSO diameter were -10.86 mm (p < 0.001) and +1.34 mm (p < 0.001), respectively. Aggregate evidence suggests that SES can improve ESS outcomes by reducing rates of postoperative intervention and recurrent polyposis and inflammation, while promoting FSO patency. All included and analyzed studies were industry-sponsored and ruling-out publication bias was not possible. Future independent and nonsponsored studies to further evaluate SES's long-term efficacy are warranted.

Bioabsorbable steroid-eluting sinus stents for patients with refractory frontal diseases undergoing a revision Draf 3 procedure: a case series

Background: Bioabsorbable steroid-eluting sinus stents are safe and effective in maintaining the patency of the frontal sinus ostium.Aims/objectives: To assess the efficacy of steroid-eluting sinus stents in improving postoperative outcomes following revision and re-revision Draf 3 procedures in patients with frontal diseases.Material and methods: Patients with recalcitrant chronic frontal rhinosinusitis (FRS) and mucocele who underwent revision and re-revision Draf 3 procedures from 2015 to 2017 were included. Preoperative disease parameters, demographics, and endoscopic and radiographic images were recorded.Results: Seven patients undergoing the Draf 3 procedure for recalcitrant chronic FRS (43%) and mucocele after complete resection of benign tumours in the frontal sinus (57%) were followed up for a mean of 16.5 months. At the end of follow-up, seven (100%) patients were asymptomatic and all patients (100%) had patent neo-ostia.Conclusions and significance: The use of bioabsorbable steroid-eluting sinus stents had no unanticipated consequences, and the drainage pathways of the frontal neo-ostium remained patent. Steroid-eluting sinus stents may decrease recurrence rates in revision cases where patients have extensive scarring or neo-osteogenesis of the operative field from prior Draf 2 or 3 procedures. Further follow-up of the current cases and studies with larger cohorts are needed.

Reducing the need for general anesthesia in the repair of choanal atresia with steroid-eluting stents: A case series

IntroductionChoanal atresia (CA) is a rare pediatric congenital disorder resulting in upper airway obstruction and respiratory distress in the setting of obligate nasal breathing in infants. In 2016, a novel technique was reported in the literature utilizing drug-eluting stents to correct CA. However, 2 out of 3 patients in the study required a second operation under general anesthesia. The repeated visits to the operating room for evaluations and debridement under general anesthesia continues to be a concern for increased morbidity and mortality in infants undergoing repair of CA. MethodsA case series of three (3) patients who underwent repair of CA. Outcomes were measured by post-operative, in-office flexible nasoendoscopy. ResultsEach patient was implanted with mometasone furoate drug-eluting stents at the conclusion of the operation. Post-operatively, patients were instructed to perform nasal saline rinses 3–4 times daily. Outpatient follow-up between 6 and 17 months showed patent nasal passages on nasal endoscopy. There were no post-operative complications. Moreover, patients only underwent a single episode of general anesthesia at time of initial repair. ConclusionsIn our study, we report successful outcomes using drugeluting stents for one-stage surgical correction of CA, therefore negating the need for children to undergo multiple subjections to general anesthetics.