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Nasolacrimal Lavage as a Treatment for Ocular Surface Toxic Soup Syndrome
Published on: April 25, 2025
A comparative study of three methods of nasal irrigation
Peter-John Wormald1, Tim Cain, Lyndell Oates
1Department of Surgery-Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Adelaide, Woodville South 5011, South Australia, Australia. peterj.wormald@adelaide.edu.au
Objective:
To assess the effectiveness of three methods of nasal irrigation on distributing saline to the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.
Design:
: A prospective, cross-over study.
Materials And Methods:
Twelve subjects (9 patients with chronic sinusitis after functional endoscopic sinus surgery and 3 healthy controls) underwent nasal irrigation with normal saline containing Technetium 99m sulfur colloid. The distribution of radioactivity was assessed on each subject after three different irrigation techniques: metered nasal spray, nebulization with RinoFlow, and nasal douching while kneeling with the head on the floor.
Results:
The nasal cavity was well irrigated by all three techniques. Compared with the other two methods, douching was significantly more effective in penetrating the maxillary sinus (P = .036) and frontal recess (P = .003). The sphenoid and frontal sinuses were poorly irrigated by all three techniques.
Conclusion:
Nasal douches are more effective in distributing irrigation solution to the maxillary sinus and frontal recess. This should be the method of choice for irrigating these areas.
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