CHICAGO, Ill. – 31 million Americans suffer from chronic sinusitis. When medications fail, seeking relief can often lead to surgery. Now, there's a new device that can help guarantee permanent results.
Nurse Jillian Giertuga had to undergo a CAT scan.
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"I had constant pressure in my cheeks and forehead," she said.
Giertuga was suffering from chronic sinusitis.
"Chronic sinusitis is an inflammation of the tissues that line the air filled cavities within the skull," explained Jordan Pritikin, MD, Physician-Director, Chicago Nasal & Sinus Center.
When steroids, decongestants, and antibiotics fail surgery becomes an option.
"We are opening up this space to allow air to flow, allow mucus to drain, and to get rid of as much diseased tissue as possible," Pritikin said.
Up to 20 percent of nasal surgeries fail due to scarring or recurrent inflammation. Now, Pritikin is using a stent that holds the sinuses open.
"It doesn't interfere with the drainage, doesn't interfere with airflow, but more importantly it's coated with a steroid that slowly releases into the tissues to decrease inflammation," Pritikin said.
The stent is absorbed by the body, patients find long term relief.
"Things are much better. There is no pressure and no headaches," Giertuga said.
Half a million patients each year undergo surgery to treat sinusitis. Studies show the PROPEL implant has provided a 29% reduction in the need for postoperative interventions.
Additional Information:
The newest treatment for sinusitis is the PROPEL dissolvable implant for chronic sinusitis patients undergoing sinus surgery. PROPEL is the first of a new category of products offering localized, controlled drug delivery directly to the sinus tissue. It is inserted by a physician to maintain the surgical opening, the spring-like implant expands to prop open the ethmoid sinus and gradually delivers an advanced corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory properties directly to the sinus lining as the implant dissolves. Safety and efficacy of the PROPEL implant has been studied in three prospective clinical trials in the U.S., with a total of 205 patients enrolled.
- A randomized, controlled, double-blind Pilot study, recognized with the 2010 Maurice Cottle Research Award honoring best clinical or basic science by the American Rhinologic Society (ARS).
- The ADVANCE single-cohort study that assessed safety, endoscopic outcomes and patient symptoms to 6 months.
- The ADVANCE II randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial, which included review by an independent panel of surgeons. (Source: http://www.intersectent.com/advantage-clinical_data.html)