Abstract
Objective: Ascertain whether early debridement, with its related costs and patient discomfort, limits adhesion formation as evaluated by a blinded observer, via video-endoscopy at 3 months post-surgery.
Method: A blinded RCT of patients undergoing primary bilateral sinus surgery at a tertiary referral hospital. One side of the nose was randomized to receive debridement postoperatively. The sinus cavities were videotaped at 3 months, and 2 surgeons blindly evaluated each side.
Results: No significant difference in the 2 sides was found in terms of adhesion and patency rates.
Conclusion: Regular and frequent debridement following sinus surgery might not be as crucial as previously thought to prevent adhesion formation and improve wound healing. However, removal of crusting does seem to improve patients perception of malodor and nasal obstruction in the immediate postoperative period.
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