Postoperative nasal debridement following functional endoscopic sinus surgery, a systematic review of the literature

Chronic rhinosinusitis is a significant health problem, and the optimal postoperative treatment regime for patients post functional endoscopic sinus surgery has been a topic debated for years.

To systematically review and critically evaluate the evidence relating to postoperative debridement of the nasal cavity following functional endoscopic sinus surgery to guide best practice.

A search of the following databases was performed: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness, and Cochrane Central Register of Control Trials. Ovid Medline, EMBASE, Pubmed. The following key words were used: Postoperative, functional endoscopic sinus surgery, sinus surgery, debridement, follow-up, from 1970 to 2013.

Two independent reviewers assessed the relevant articles using the consort guidance on systematic reviews Moher et al. BMJ 2010; 340: c869.

The best evidence available was 1B, with six Randomsied control trial (RCTs) identified. Four studies compared debridement against no debridement, and two looked at the frequency of the debridement. Cumulatively, results for 337 patients were included. Visual analogue scores were used in all studies. None of the results at the long-term follow-up showed any difference in sino-nasal outcome test scores or objective endoscopic scores. Four of the six studies demonstrated some benefit in symptom scores but only one in the long term. Two papers demonstrated the debridement group suffered more pain in the postoperative period.

Currently, there is no clear evidence for frequent postoperative debridement. Further well-designed RCTs are required to establish clear benefit, optimal frequency, extent and timing of debridement.