[Corticosteroid therapy in the prevention of recurrent post-surgical nasal polyposis]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate, in a group of 30 patients, the results of a medical treatment combining an oral corticosteroid (Deflazacort) with a drug applied topically (Beclomethasone dipropionate) following a well-defined protocol, in the prevention of recurrent post-surgical nasal polyposis. In the follow-up at 6, 12 and 24 months, the possible recurrence of polyposis was evaluated as well as the nasal blockage and the olfactory function. After six months the disease recurrence was observed in 33% of the cases, always in its early stages, whereas after one year the percentage rose to 50% (15 patients, of whom only 3 displayed a severe form with considerable reduction of nasal ventilation). At 24 months recurrence was observed in 57% of the patients. However most cases did not show any sign of further progression. Throughout the entire follow-up period under observation only 6 patients (20%) had a severe recurrence which therefore required a revision surgery. The comparison with a control group not undergoing medical therapy after surgery highlighted the significance of the results obtained. Consequently the therapeutic protocol adopted proved to be reliable due to the very high tolerability in all cases and to the high percentage of good or very good short and medium term results observed. No clinical side effects of any importance were observed during the study.