Evaluation of middle meatal stenting after minimally invasive sinus techniques (MIST)

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we compared postoperative synechia rates and morbidity for different middle meatal (MM) stents after minimally invasive sinus techniques (MIST). STUDY DESIGN: In a prospective study, we included 100 patients with bilateral chronic sinusitis undergoing MIST at a tertiary care facility with a single surgeon. METHODS: For all patients, MeroGel stents were placed in the right MM, Gelfilm stents were placed in the left MM. Follow-up consisted of 3 postoperative visits between weeks 1 and 12 with endoscopic evaluation for synechia, granulation tissue, stent retention, nasal obstruction, headache, and infection. RESULTS: Synechia developed in 4 patients on the left and in none on the right (P = 0.04). There were no significant side-specific differences regarding postoperative nasal congestion, headache, or sinusitis. Mean stent retention. fin e was 7.9 days for MeroGel and 5.6 days for Gelfilm (P = 0.0004). CONCLUSION: Compared with Gelfilm, Merogel MM stents produced less synechia; Merogel retains its position in the MM longer than Gelfilm; and the incidence of postoperative MM synechia can be reduced when absorbable MM stents are used in conjunction with MIST.