Comparison of Hypertonic Saline with Normal Saline in Nasal Irrigation Post Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is indicated for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis that is refractory to medical treatment. Nasal irrigation is a classic and powerful adjunctive method for the management of chronic rhinosinusitis after FESS [5]. This study aimed to compare the effects of hypertonic saline and isotonic saline nasal irrigation following endoscopic sinus surgery. The study was conducted in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, India, on 156 patients, who had chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyposis, and were resistant to conservative management. All patients underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Patients were advised to perform nasal douching post-surgery, and were randomly divided into two groups based on the douching solution they used. Group 1 was given hypertonic saline (3%) while Group 2 was given isotonic saline (0.9%). Patients were examined at weeks 1, 3 and 6 post-operatively. Outcomes of irrigation using both solutions were assessed by- 20-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT20) scores [13], Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores [1, 2], mucociliary clearance (MCC) assessment [14] and endoscopic examination. The group receiving hypertonic saline showed significant improvement in 20-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test scores, Visual analogue scale scores and improvement of sino-nasal mucosa from polypoidal to cobblestone, in the follow up period. However improvement in mucociliary clearance and resolution of postoperative crustings was consistent in both groups. Hypertonic saline nasal irrigation post FESS brings greater benefits on symptom improvement and normalization of the sino-nasal mucosa over isotonic saline.