Type and Frequency of Nasal Irrigation in Rhinosinusitis Patients

Isotonic vs Hypertonic Nasal Irrigation and Frequency of Irrigation Per Day in Rhinosinusitis Patients

Rhinosinusitis is a common clinical problem with significant morbidity which alters patients' quality of life that has its effect on 1 out of 7 adults. It has been found that rhinosinusitis accounts for almost 26 million clinics and emergency visits per year in United states .Nasal irrigation is standard management used to treat a variety of sinonasal diseases. Furthermore, nasal irrigation decreases the need of usage other medications in rhinosinusitis .Hence, it is considered safe, inexpensive, and easy to use with no evidence of major adverse effects .Up to our knowledge, there is no clear guideline in which type (isotonic saline vs hypertonic saline) and frequency (times per day) of nasal irrigation are superior and better.

Nasal irrigation is one of the main treatment of sinonasal diseases. The mechanism of action of nasal irrigation has many physiological aspects such as removing of excess mucus which is a potential medium for bacterial growth and infection, cleaning of antigens and biofilm to decrease inflammatory process, increase mucocilliary function and removing curst and debris from post-surgery to enhance wound healing and mucosalization Hypertonic saline is defined as a solution with more than 0.9% weight per volume of sodium chloride while isotonic saline is defined as a solution that equals to 0.9% weight per volume of sodium chloride. There are controversial studies in the literature on which saline is superior on the other, some prefer hypertonic saline over isotonic saline because it can move water outside the cells, decrease edema of mucosa, increase hydration of sol layer and decrease muco-adhesiveness and improve mucociliary clearance while others found both solution had same efficacy, improved nasal stuffiness and nasal obstruction but patients prefer isotonic saline because it is well tolerated and less burning sensation. Frequency of nasal irrigation per day is poorly studied in the literature with no known recommended times per day. Our aim is to find which type of saline and number of irrigation per day are better and statistically significant .

0.9% Sodium Chloride (NaCl) saline will be used as nasal irrigation for 2 times per day. Each time, amount of 50 ml of saline will be used in each nostril ( 100 ml for both nostrils per time) . So, in total 200 ml of 0.9% Sodium Chloride (NaCl) saline will be used daily for 1 month .

3% Sodium Chloride (NaCl) saline will be used as nasal irrigation for 2 times per day. Each time, amount of 50 ml of saline will be used in each nostril ( 100 ml for both nostrils per time) . So, in total 200 ml of 3% Sodium Chloride (NaCl) saline will be used daily for 1 month .

0.9% Sodium Chloride (NaCl) saline will be used as nasal irrigation for 5 times per day. Each time, amount of 50 ml of saline will be used in each nostril ( 100 ml for both nostrils per time) . So, in total 500 ml of 0.9% Sodium Chloride (NaCl) saline will be used daily for 1 month .

3% Sodium Chloride (NaCl) saline will be used as nasal irrigation for 5 times per day. Each time, amount of 50 ml of saline will be used in each nostril ( 100 ml for both nostrils per time) . So, in total 500 ml of 3% Sodium Chloride (NaCl) saline will be used daily for 1 month .

0.9% Sodium Chloride (NaCl) saline will be used as nasal irrigation for two groups. (first groups 2 times per day and second group 5 times per day ). Each time, amount of 50 ml of saline will be used in each nostril ( 100 ml for both nostrils per time) . So, in total 500 ml of 0.9% Sodium Chloride (NaCl) saline will be used daily for 1 month .

3% Sodium Chloride (NaCl) saline will be used as nasal irrigation for two groups. (first groups 2 times per day and second group 5 times per day ). Each time, amount of 50 ml of saline will be used in each nostril ( 100 ml for both nostrils per time). So, in total 200 ml of 3% Sodium Chloride (NaCl) saline will be used daily for 1 month .

The Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) is a validated chronic rhinosinusitis -specific outcome measure consisting of 22 items that captures sinus-specific and general health-related impact of the disease process. To answer the instrument, patients suggest their level of affection in each domain and identify the most 5 important items. Each item quantifies symptoms severity from 0 (no problem) to 5 (worst symptom). The sum of each item results in a maximum score of 110 while the minimum is 0 . High score indicates poor outcome. Arabic version of a validated and reliable SNOT-22 will utilize in this study. We will measure the change of SNOT-22 from our baseline after follow up in 1 month

Peri-Operative Sinus Endoscopy Score (POSE) is objective endoscopic scoring system was utilized to assess the surgical outcomes in the sinonasal cavities through the evaluation of the middle turbinate, middle meatal antrostomy,ethmoid cavity, and secondary sinuses.The sum of maxiumum score is 20 while the minimum is 0 . High score indicates poor result . Th We will measure the change of POSE from our baseline after follow up in 1 month

Inclusion Criteria: Age from 18 years of either gender Acute and chronic rhinosinusitis Exclusion Criteria: History of nasal or sinus surgery Age less than 18 years of either gender diagnosis other than rhinosinusitis