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Background: Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have emerged as an alternative to opioids for optimal postoperative pain management. However, the adoption of NSAIDs in sinonasal surgery has been impeded by a theoretical concern for postoperative bleeding. Our objective is to systematically review the efficacy and safety of NSAIDs for patients undergoing sinonasal surgery. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform were searched from inception to January 27, 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and comparative observational studies in any language were considered. Screening, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment were performed in duplicate. Our outcomes were postoperative pain scores, requirement for rescue analgesia, and postoperative adverse events (epistaxis, nausea/vomiting). Results: Out of 4661 records, 15 RCTs (enrolling 1210 patients) and two observational studies were included. Following endoscopic sinus surgery, there was no difference in pain scores between NSAIDs and non‐NSAIDs groups (standardized mean differences [SMD] 0.44 units better, 95% CI –0.18 to 1.05). Following septorhinoplasty, NSAIDs decreased pain scores compared to non‐NSAID regimens (SMD 1.14 units better, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.67 units better). Overall, NSAIDs reduced the need for rescue medication with a relative risk (RR) of 0.45 (95% CI 0.24 to 0.84). In addition, NSAIDs decreased the risk of nausea with an RR of 0.62 (95% CI 0.42 to 0.91) and did not increase the risk of epistaxis (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.23‐2.22). Conclusion: Among patients undergoing sinonasal surgery, NSAIDs are beneficial in postoperative pain management and avoidance of postoperative nausea without increasing the risk of postoperative epistaxis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aspirin‐exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is an aggressive respiratory tract inflammatory disorder manifesting as asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis, and a respiratory sensitivity to aspirin and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Corticosteroids, both systemic and topical/inhaled, are used to treat inflammation of the upper and lower airways. Our objective was to examine the potential impact of complete endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and aspirin desensitization (AD) on short‐term and long‐term corticosteroid use. Methods: For this pilot study, a retrospective chart review of all patients with AERD who underwent ESS followed by AD was performed. Daily prednisone use, average daily prednisone dose, and inhaled corticosteroid use were analyzed at the following time points: preoperative, postoperative/pre‐AD, and 2 to 3 months, 4 to 6 months, 7 to 12 months, and 13 to 24 months following AD. Results: A total of 125 patients underwent ESS followed by AD. Compared to preoperatively, patients who underwent ESS and AD were less likely to be on daily prednisone at all time points and upon long‐term follow‐up (32% preoperatively vs 10% at 13 to 24 months, McNemar's test = 9.00, p = 0.009). Average daily prednisone dose decreased from 10.6 ± 7.9 mg preoperatively to 3.8 ± 2.6 mg at 13 to 24 months following AD (Mann‐Whitney U; W = 122, p = 0.01). Similarly, high‐dose and medium‐dose inhaled corticosteroid use decreased from 18% to 7% and from 36% to 22% respectively (Pearson's chi‐square = 8.06, p = 0.05). Conclusion: In our AERD cohort who underwent ESS followed by AD, there was an observed decrease in overall systemic and topical/inhaled corticosteroid use. These findings can have implications for treatment given the potentially hazardous side effects of corticosteroid use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]