Steroid-Delivery Systems in Sinus Surgery
Summary
Chronic rhinosinusitis and its surgical management pose significant challenges due to postoperative inflammation, adhesion formation and polyp recurrence. Traditional systemic corticosteroid therapy can mitigate these processes but carries the risk of systemic side effects. In contrast, local steroid-delivery systems—ranging from bioabsorbable stents and drug-eluting implants to sustained-release coatings and polymeric gels—provide targeted anti-inflammatory action directly at the surgical site. These devices support mucosal healing by maintaining patency of the sinus ostia, minimising oedema and reducing the formation of fibrous adhesions. Advances in materials science, such as biodegradable polymers and supramolecular hydrogels, alongside additive manufacturing techniques, have enabled precise control of drug release kinetics, mechanical properties and anatomical fit. Collectively, these innovations aim to enhance patient comfort, reduce the need for systemic medication and lower the incidence of revision surgery, thereby improving long-term outcomes in diverse clinical settings.
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Steroid-Delivery Systems in Sinus Surgery publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in steroid-delivery systems in sinus surgery across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Bioabsorbable stent: A stent composed of materials that gradually degrade in the body, reducing the need for removal.
Sustained-release varnish: A polymer coating that delivers medication at a controlled rate over time.
Polylactic acid (PLA): A biodegradable polymer commonly used in 3D-printed medical implants.
Mometasone furoate: A potent corticosteroid employed to reduce inflammation in nasal tissues.
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS): A minimally invasive procedure to restore normal sinus drainage and ventilation.
References
- Sinonasal Stent Coated with Sustained-Release Varnish of Mometasone Furoate Inhibits Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Release from Macrophages: An In Vitro Study. Pharmaceutics (2023).
- Novel Rhinological Application of Polylactic Acid—An In Vitro Study. Polymers (2023).
- Association of Comorbid Asthma and the Efficacy of Bioabsorbable Steroid-eluting Sinus Stents Implanted After Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps. Current Medical Science (2023).
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