Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 12, 2026

Endoscopic Cholesteatoma Surgery
08:47

Endoscopic Cholesteatoma Surgery

Published on: January 19, 2022

13.3K

Comparing the efficacy of Silastic and gloved-Merocel middle meatal spacers for functional endoscopic sinus surgery:

Jamil Manji1, Al-Rahim R Habib1, Luis Macias-Valle1,2

  • 1St. Paul's Sinus Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology
|March 31, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Gloved-Merocel (GM) spacers result in less pain during removal after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) compared to Silastic spacers. However, both spacer types show similar rates of synechiae and scarring post-FESS.

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Rhinology
  • Surgical Innovation

Background:

  • Spacers are crucial post-functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) to prevent middle turbinate lateralization, scarring, and synechiae.
  • This study compares Silastic and gloved-Merocel (GM) spacers in the middle meatal space (MMS).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate differences in postoperative synechiae, scarring, facial pain, and discharge between Silastic and GM spacers after FESS.
  • To assess pain experienced during spacer removal following FESS.

Main Methods:

  • A double-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) utilized a within-subject design where patients received both Silastic and GM spacers.
  • Spacers were placed in the MMS during FESS and removed after 6 days.
  • Outcomes including synechiae, scarring, inflammation, discharge, and pain were assessed using endoscopic evaluation and visual analogue scale (VAS).

Main Results:

  • No significant difference in the incidence of synechiae and scarring was observed between Silastic and GM spacers up to 12 weeks postoperatively.
  • Patients reported significantly less pain during the removal of GM spacers compared to Silastic spacers (p = 0.020).
  • Facial pain before removal and the extent of discharge did not significantly differ between the two spacer types.

Conclusions:

  • Gloved-Merocel (GM) spacers are associated with reduced pain during removal compared to Silastic spacers after FESS.
  • The choice between Silastic and GM spacers does not impact the likelihood of developing synechiae or scarring post-FESS.
Keywords:
FESSchronic rhinosinusitisendoscopic sinus surgerypostoperativequality of lifesinusitis

More Related Videos

Discovering Middle Ear Anatomy by Transcanal Endoscopic Ear Surgery: A Dissection Manual10:40

Discovering Middle Ear Anatomy by Transcanal Endoscopic Ear Surgery: A Dissection Manual

Published on: January 11, 2018

69.4K
Author Spotlight: Evaluating the Adjuvant Efficacy and Safety of Angong Niuhuang Pill in Viral Encephalitis Treatment08:36

Author Spotlight: Evaluating the Adjuvant Efficacy and Safety of Angong Niuhuang Pill in Viral Encephalitis Treatment

Published on: April 19, 2024

1.2K

Related Concept Videos

Transfer Function in Control Systems01:21

Transfer Function in Control Systems

The transfer function is a fundamental concept in the analysis and design of linear time-invariant (LTI) systems. It offers a concise way to understand how a system responds to different inputs in the frequency domain. It serves as a bridge between the time-domain differential equations that describe system dynamics and the frequency-domain representation that facilitates easier manipulation and analysis.
To derive the transfer function, consider a general nth-order linear time-invariant...
1.6K
Trial and Error and Algorithm01:12

Trial and Error and Algorithm

A problem-solving strategy is a plan of action used to find a solution. Different strategies have distinct action plans. Trial and error involves trying different solutions until one works. For instance, to fix a broken printer, you might check ink levels, ensure the paper tray isn't jammed, and verify the printer's connection to your laptop. This method can be time-consuming but is commonly used. Thomas Edison, for example, used trial and error to find a suitable filament for the light...
429
Clinical Trials: Overview01:11

Clinical Trials: Overview

Clinical development focuses on how the drug will interact with the human body and encompasses four key phases of clinical trials, each serving a specific purpose in assessing the safety and effectiveness of new drugs. These phases overlap and build upon one another. Phase I involves a small group of healthy volunteers (typically 20-80 individuals) or, in cases where significant toxicity is expected, patients with the targeted disease, such as cancer or AIDS. The volunteers are tested for...
5.0K
Clinical Trials01:16

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are prospective experimental studies conducted on humans to determine the safety and efficacy of treatments, drugs, diet methods, and medical devices. Using statistics in clinical trials enables researchers to derive reasonable and accurate conclusions from the collected data, allowing them to make wise decisions in uncertain situations. In medical research, statistical methods are crucial for preventing errors and bias.
There are four phases in a clinical trial. A phase one...
10.9K
Self-Efficacy01:29

Self-Efficacy

Self-efficacy is the belief in one's capacity to organize and execute actions necessary to manage prospective situations. This belief significantly influences how individuals approach goals, tasks, and challenges across different domains of life.Psychological and Educational ImpactsIndividuals with strong self-efficacy are more resilient in the face of difficulties. They are more likely to adopt effective problem-solving strategies, persist through obstacles, and regulate emotions such as...
237
Random Error01:04

Random Error

Random or indeterminate errors originate from various uncontrollable variables, such as variations in environmental conditions, instrument imperfections, or the inherent variability of the phenomena being measured. Usually, these errors cannot be predicted, estimated, or characterized because their direction and magnitude often vary in magnitude and direction even during consecutive measurements. As a result, they are difficult to eliminate. However, the aggregate effect of these errors can be...
9.8K