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Background After sinus surgery, patients are commonly instructed to irrigate with saline irrigations with their heads over a sink and noses directed inferiorly (nose-to-floor). Although irrigations can penetrate the sinuses in this head position, no study has assessed whether sphenoid sinus penetration can be improved by irrigating with the nose directed superiorly (nose-to-ceiling). The purpose of this study was to use a validated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of sinus irrigations to assess the difference in sphenoid sinus delivery of irrigations after irrigating in a nose-to-floor vs nose-to-ceiling head position. Methods Bilateral maxillary antrostomies, total ethmoidectomies, wide sphenoidotomies, and a Draf III frontal sinusotomy were performed on a single fresh cadaver head. CFD models were created from postoperative computed tomography maxillofacial scans. CFD modeling software was used to simulate a 120-mL irrigation to the left nasal cavity with the following parameters: flow rate 30 mL/second, angle of irrigation 20 degrees to the nasal floor, and either nose-to-floor or nose-to-ceiling head positioning. Results In the postoperative CFD models, the sphenoid sinuses were completely penetrated by the irrigation while in a nose-to-ceiling head position. However, no sphenoid sinus penetration occurred in the nose-to-floor position. Other sinuses were similarly penetrated in both head positions, although the ipsilateral maxillary sinus was less penetrated in the nose-to-ceiling position. Conclusion CFD modeling demonstrated that the nose-to-ceiling head position was superior to the nose-to-floor position in delivering a 120-mL irrigation to the sphenoid sinuses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Despite their widespread use, antibiotics have not been shown to improve chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) outcomes. We aimed to determine whether culture-inappropriate postoperative antibiotic therapy was associated with less quality-of-life (QOL) improvement following functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Methods This retrospective cohort study recruited 376 adult CRS patients undergoing FESS between October 1, 2007 to December 31, 2011. Patient demographics, comorbidities and medications were collected at baseline. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and clindamycin were administered for 2 weeks postoperatively. The antibiotic appropriateness was determined based on bacterial resistance profile of organisms identified during intraoperative culture. The QOL outcome was defined as change of 22-item Sinonasal Outcome Test scores from preoperative visit to 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month post-FESS. Clinically significant difference was defined as at least 0.5 standard deviations (SD) of baseline QOL score in the reference group. Mixed-effects regression models were performed. Results Seven percent of patients (n = 27) had culture-inappropriate antibiotic therapy, and additional 5% (n = 19) had culture-specific antibiotic adjustment. Compared to patients with culture-appropriate antibiotics, patients with culture-inappropriate antibiotics had significantly less improvement of QOL from baseline to postoperative 1-month and 3-month follow-up where the difference became clinically significant; patients with antibiotic adjustment had more QOL improvement from baseline to 1-month follow-up, but their QOL worsened at 3-month follow-up, and these changes were not clinically significant. However, all effects washed out at 6-month follow-up with no significant differences. Conclusion Culture-inappropriate postoperative antibiotic therapy decreased short-term QOL improvement to a clinically meaningful level after FESS. Culture guided selection of antibiotics may improve short-term FESS outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusions Patients with sinonasal malignancy (SNM) present with significant sinonasal quality of life (QOL) impairment. Global sinonasal QOL as measured by the 22‐item Sinonasal Outcomes Test (SNOT‐22) has been shown to improve with treatment. This study aims to characterize SNOT‐22 subdomain outcomes in SNM.Patients diagnosed with SNM were prospectively enrolled in a multi‐center patient registry. SNOT‐22 scores were collected at the time of diagnosis and through the post‐treatment period for up to 5 years. Multivariable regression analysis was used to identify drivers of variation in SNOT‐22 subdomains.Note that 234 patients were reviewed, with a mean follow‐up of 22 months (3 months–64 months). Rhinologic, psychological, and sleep subdomains significantly improved versus baseline (all p < 0.05). Subanalysis of 40 patients with follow‐up at all timepoints showed statistically significant improvement in rhinologic, extra‐nasal, psychological, and sleep subdomains, with minimal clinically important difference met between 2 and 5 years in sleep and psychological subdomains. Adjuvant chemoradiation was associated with worse outcomes in rhinologic (adjusted odds ratio (5.22 [1.69–8.66])), extra‐nasal (2.21 [0.22–4.17]) and ear/facial (5.53 [2.10–8.91]) subdomains. Pterygopalatine fossa involvement was associated with worse outcomes in rhinologic (3.22 [0.54–5.93]) and ear/facial (2.97 [0.32–5.65]) subdomains. Positive margins (5.74 [2.17–9.29]) and surgical approach—combined versus endoscopic (3.41 [0.78–6.05])—were associated with worse psychological outcomes. Adjuvant radiation (2.28 [0.18–4.40]) was associated with worse sleep outcomes.Sinonasal QOL improvements associated with treatment of SNM are driven by rhinologic, extra‐nasal, psychological, and sleep subdomains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common condition that affects people of all ages and negatively impacts quality of life. The goal of this study was to identify differences in outcomes by age following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for CRS utilizing 22‐item Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22) scores. Methods: Data from 1252 adult CRS patients electing to undergo ESS (2007‐2018) were collected retrospectively. The median age of 50 years was used to divide the data into 2 groups for comparison of the impact of age on SNOT‐22 scores at 0, 3, and 6 months after surgery. Changes in SNOT‐22 scores were analyzed using a mixed models analysis. Results: After adjusting for gender, race, polyp status, and number of prior ESSs, patients younger than 50 years had a higher mean pre‐ESS SNOT‐22 score (44.0) compared to those of at least 50 years of age (38.9). Among patients younger than 50 years, SNOT‐22 scores declined by 20.7 points at 3 months post‐ESS and 16.1 points at 6 months post‐ESS. The rate of change between the dichotomized age groups was not significantly different at 3 and 6 months post‐ESS (p = 0.7952 and p = 0.1057, respectively). Conclusion: Both age groups showed significant and durable improvement in SNOT‐22 scores after ESS. Patients younger than 50 years of age have higher pre‐ESS SNOT‐22 scores, but converge to the same SNOT‐22 scores by 3 months post‐ESS. The rate of change of SNOT‐22 scores is not different between those younger than 50 years and those of at least 50 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

We tracked patient SNOT-22 and ACT scores at the following time-points: post-FESS/pre-desensitization; 1 to 3 months post-desensitization; 4 to 6 months post-desensitization; 7 to 12 months post-desensitization; and 13 to 24 months post-desensitization. Values for age, daily prednisone dose, and pre-desensitization SNOT-22 were recorded after FESS and before aspirin treatment after aspirin desensitization. Keywords: chronic rhinosinusitis; endoscopic sinus surgery; eosinophilic rhinitis and nasal polyposis; FESS; SNOT-22 EN chronic rhinosinusitis endoscopic sinus surgery eosinophilic rhinitis and nasal polyposis FESS SNOT-22 872 875 4 05/17/22 20220601 NES 220601 Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by the triad of eosinophilic asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis, and a non-IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.1 The "gold standard" treatment of AERD consists of debulking of nasal polyps via complete functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) of all 8 sinuses followed by aspirin treatment after aspirin desensitization (ATAD).2 The treatment protocol has been shown to lead to improved score on the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22), decreased overall corticosteroid use, lower rate of revision surgery, and improved control of asthma.3,4 In this study, we seek to compare the outcomes of ATAD between men and women with AERD. [Extracted from the article]

Background The bitter taste receptor T2R38 was recently described to play a role in upper airway innate mucosal defense. When activated by bacterial quorum-sensing molecules, T2R38 stimulates the ciliated epithelial cells to produce nitric oxide (NO), resulting in bactericidal activity and an increase in mucociliary clearance (MCC). Polymorphisms within the T2R38 gene ( TAS2R38) confer variability in activation of the receptor yielding dramatic differences in upper airway defensive responses (NO production and accelerated MCC) to microbial stimulation based on genotype. Our objective was to determine whether the nonprotective TAS2R38 polymorphisms, which render the receptor inactive, correlate with medically recalcitrant chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) necessitating surgical intervention in the context of known risk factors, and thus identify whether the TAS2R38 genotype is an independent risk factor for patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Methods CRS patients undergoing primary FESS were prospectively genotyped for TAS2R38. Chi-square analysis was performed on the genotype distribution with respect to other risk factors, including allergies, asthma, nasal polyposis, aspirin sensitivity, diabetes, and smoking exposure. Results Seventy primary FESS patients were genotyped demonstrating a statistically significant skewing from the expected distribution of the general population ( p < 0.0383). CRS patients with a particular polymorphism seemed less likely to have allergies, asthma, nasal polyposis, aspirin sensitivity, and diabetes, but this did not demonstrate statistical significance. Conclusion Our investigation suggests that TAS2R38 genotype is an independent risk factor for patients failing medical therapy, necessitating surgical intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We recently demonstrated the bitter taste receptor T2R38 upregulates sinonasal mucosal innate defense in response to gram-negative quorum-sensing molecules through increased nitric oxide production and mucociliary clearance. T2R38 was initially identified in the quest to understand the variability in bitter taste perception to the compound phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) and demonstrated to have polymorphisms generating diplotypes dividing people into PTC supertasters, heterozygotes (with variable PTC detection), and nontasters. We have further demonstrated that sinonasal epithelial cultures derived from supertasters significantly increase innate defenses in response to gram-negative quorum-sensing molecules compared with sinonasal cultures derived from heterozygotes and nontaster individuals. Based on this data, we hypothesize that supertasters are less likely to require sinus surgery compared with heterozygous or nontasters and that supertasters have improved surgical outcomes. Methods Banked sinonasal tissue samples from patients who had undergone primary functional endoscopic sinus surgery at the University of Pennsylvania or the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center were genotyped for T2R38 and compared to the expected population distribution. Necessity for additional antibiotic therapy following the postoperative healing time frame was evaluated. Results A total of 28 patients were included in the study. Only 1 supertaster was identified (expected 5.6, p < 0.043). Additionally, 14 heterozygous and 13 nontaster patients were identified. Conclusion This pilot study investigating the genetics of the bitter taste receptor T2R38 in the context of primary sinonasal surgery demonstrates supertaster patients are less likely to need surgical intervention for chronic rhinosinusitis. Additional study is necessary to ascertain postsurgical outcomes. [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]

Background Investigations into the distribution of sinus irrigations have been limited by labor-intensive methodologies that do not capture the full dynamics of irrigation flow. The purpose of this study was to validate the accuracy of a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for sinonasal irrigations through a cadaveric experiment. Methods Endoscopic sinus surgery was performed on 2 fresh cadavers to open all 8 sinuses, including a Draf III procedure for cadaver 1, and Draf IIb frontal sinusotomies for cadaver 2. Computed tomography maxillofacial scans were obtained preoperatively and postoperatively, from which CFD models were created. Blue-dyed saline in a 240-mL squeeze bottle was used to irrigate cadaver sinuses at 60 mL/second (120 mL per side, over 2 seconds). These parameters were replicated in CFD simulations. Endoscopes were placed through trephinations drilled through the anterior walls of the maxillary and frontal sinuses, and sphenoid roofs. Irrigation flow into the maxillary, frontal, and sphenoid sinuses was graded both ipsilateral and contralateral to the side of nasal irrigation, and then compared with the CFD simulations. Results In both cadavers, preoperative and postoperative irrigation flow into maxillary, frontal, and sphenoid sinuses matched extremely well when comparing the CFD models and cadaver endoscopic videos. For cadaver 1, there was 100% concordance between the CFD model and cadaver videos, and 83% concordance for cadaver 2. Conclusion This cadaveric experiment provided potential validation of the CFD model for simulating saline irrigation flow into the maxillary, frontal, and sphenoid sinuses before and after sinus surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) is commonly isolated from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). However, the role of CoNS in CRS remains controversial. We aimed to determine the association between positive CoNS culture at functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and CRS severity. Methods Adult CRS patients who underwent FESS between October 1, 2007 to December 31, 2011 were recruited. Patient demographics, disease characteristics, medication use, Lund-Mackay computed tomography (CT) scores, and 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) scores were collected at baseline before FESS. Intraoperative cultures were obtained in a standard manner. Patients were placed into 2 groups based on culture findings: patients with CoNS as the sole positive culture result and patients with all other positive culture results, including CoNS, as part of a polymicrobial culture. Results A total of 376 CRS patients met the criteria; 106 patients (28%) had CoNS as their only isolate, 260 (69%) had other positive cultures, and 10 (3%) had no bacterial growth. Compared to patients with other positive cultures, patients with the sole result of CoNS were significantly less likely to have a history of FESS (52% vs 65%, p = 0.019), nasal polyps (50% vs 65%, p = 0.006), and had a better Lund-Mackay CT score (11.95 vs 14.18, p = 0.020). After adjusting for all factors in the multiple logistic regression model, CoNS as the sole positive culture result was independently associated with having no history of FESS (odds ratio [OR] = 0.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22 to 0.94; p = 0.034). Conclusion Positive intraoperative CoNS cultures alone do not result in increased CRS disease burden by objective or subjective measures as compared to patients with other bacterial or polymicrobial culture isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]