Nasal irrigation solutions are widely used following endonasal surgery and are usually a part of rhinitis and sinusitis treatment. These irrigation solutions remove infective debris and crusts, reducing the probability of synechia formation, and they accelerate mucosal healing.1 At the same time, they improve mucociliary clearance.2

Solutions with different contents are currently used for nasal irrigation. Isotonic saline solution has been the most preferred one for a long time3; however, more recently the use of hypertonic saline has increased. Studies show that hypertonic solutions reduce edema, improve mucociliary clearance, and relieve nasal breathing by affecting osmotic pressure.1,2,4 However, Homer et al.5 found that 3% hypertonic saline and isotonic saline solutions do not differ in their effects on mucociliary clearance. Furthermore, Suslu et al.6 showed that hypertonic saline solutions are significantly more effective on mucociliary clearance then isotonic solutions, with improvement in nasal airway dimensions. However, the use of hypertonic solutions is restricted due to side effects including nasal irritation and burning sensation.2

This study compared the effects of four irrigation solutions on mucociliary clearance, nasal crusting, nasal dryness, and obstruction following septoplasty and bilateral concha radiofrequency. Many studies have been conducted on the effects of these solutions as used for treatment of rhinitis, sinusitis, and septoplasty; however, a search revealed no studies on their effects when used to treat septoplasty and concha radiofrequency. The current study used tap water, buffered isotonic saline, buffered isotonic saline with xylitol, and hypertonic sea water for irrigation. This is the first study comparing tap water to other solutions, which is noteworthy, as tap water is an attractive option in developing countries.

A prospective, simple blind, randomized study was conducted on 120 volunteers undergoing septoplasty and concha radiofrequency in the period between December 2012 and December 2014. Informed consent was obtained from all subjects and the study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB 270).

The operations were performed in all four seasons in a city with a continental climate.

The same surgical procedures and techniques were performed on all subjects. The surgeries were done by different surgeon. The examination of the patients were performed by same otolaryngologist. A standard hemitransfiction incision was first made along the edge of the septal cartilage, followed by mucoperichondrial and mucoperiosteal flap elevation. The deviated portions of the cartilaginous septum and bony septum were removed (leaving at least 1cm of dorsal and anterior cartilage for support) to obtain a straight septum.

The RF generator (Gyrus ENT, USA) was set to deliver 300J, with a target temperature of 75°C. Energy was delivered by inserting the active portion of the needle electrode longitudinally into the submucosa of the anterior and middle parts of the inferior conchae of both sides.

Postoperative Doyle Nasal Splints (Boston medical products, MA, USA) were placed during the procedures and removed on the 2nd postoperative day. All patients received the same postoperative medication: Amoxicillin/clavulanate for 7days and paracetamol.

Subjects were randomly divided into 4 groups and one of the 4 nasal irrigation solutions was administered to each group. Both the patients and the investigators were blinded to which solution was administered. The groups each comprised 30 patients. Group 1 was administered tap water; Group 2 was given Buffered Isotonic Saline (BIS) (Neilmed® Sinus Rinse™, NaCl 10mg/mL, NaHCO3 0.5–1mg/mL); Group 3 was given Buffered Isotonic Saline with xylitol (BISX) (Entrelief® Rahat Nefes, 3.5gr); and Group 4 was administered Hypertonic Sea Water (HSW) (Sinomarin® ENT, 2.3% NaCl).

All subjects were instructed to use irrigation fluids 3 times a day for a period of 15days following the removal of the nasal splints. A total of 60mL of solution was used for each nasal irrigation, with 30mL for each nasal cavity. Tap water was performed using a syringe.

A saccharine clearance test method was used to measure Mucociliary Clearance Time (MCT) in every patient preoperatively and also on 7th and 15th day postoperatively. A quarter of a saccharin tablet was placed just beneath the anterior end of the inferior concha. Patients sat in an upright position and were asked to avoid sniffling and sneezing. The time which passed before the patient could taste the saccharine was recorded as MCT.

Crusting in the nasal cavity was evaluated on the 7th and 15th days postoperatively by a 0° nasal endoscope. Crusting scores were set as follows: 0 (none), 1 (mild), 2 (moderate), and 3 (severe). Nasal dryness and obstruction were evaluated using a 10cm visual analog scale, with lack of dryness and obstruction at the right end of the scale (10cm) and the worst symptoms at the left end of the scale (0cm). The groups’ visual analog scale scores were compared.

Exclusion criteria were upper airway infection within six weeks prior to surgery, systemic disease, rhinitis, smoking, and topical nasal spray use within three weeks prior to surgery.

The study population included 120 adult patients. The median age of the patients was 32.5 (17–64). The median ages in Groups 1 through 4 were 34 (18–64), 30 (17–46), 34 (18–63) and 33 (22–64), respectively. There were no significant differences in age distribution among the groups (p=0.432).

The study sample consisted of 81 (67.5%) males and 39 (32.5%) females. There were no significant differences in gender distribution among the groups (p=0.415).

Each group was examined separately. In Groups 1 and 4, MCT values were not significantly changed on the 7th postoperative day as compared to preoperative measurements (p>0.05). However, on the 15th postoperative day, the MCT values of these two groups were significantly shorter as compared to the preoperative and 7th postoperative day values (p<0.05). In Group 2, the MCT values improved significantly from the preoperative measurements to the 7th postoperative day measurements as well as from the 7th postoperative day to the 15th postoperative day (p<0.05). In Group 3, there were no significant changes found on the 7th and 15th postoperative days (p>0.05) (Table 1).

When the groups were compared, no significant differences were found in the preoperative or 7th and 15th postoperative day MCT scores among the 4 groups (p=0.377, p=0.386, p=0.521 respectively).

Each in-group variation in MCT scores was compared with the other groups’ score variations, and no significant differences were found (7th postoperative day–preoperative, p=0.364; 15th postoperative day–preoperative, p=0.316; 15th postoperative day–7th postoperative day, p=0.242).

Crusting score changes were not significant in Groups 1 and 3 (p=0.655 and p=0.132, respectively) on the 7th and 15th postoperative days. However, in Groups 2 and 4, significant changes were found (p<0.05) (Table 2).

The groups’ crusting scores from the 7th and 15th postoperative days were compared to each other. Group 4's scores were significantly lower than the others (p<0.001). There were no significant differences among the other groups (p>0.05).

Each in-group variation for crusting was compared with other groups’ crusting measurement variation, and no significant differences were found (p=0.294).

When in-group nasal obstruction scores were analyzed, the 15th postoperative day scores showed significant improvement compared to the 7th postoperative day scores in Groups 1 and 4 (p=0.022 and p=0.005). However, nasal dryness was significantly improved in Group 2 (p=0.007). There were no significant changes found in obstruction or dryness in the other groups (p>0.05) (Table 3).

The groups’ dryness and obstruction scores on the 7th and 15th postoperative days were compared to each other. Group 4's VAS scores were significantly higher than the other groups’ (p<0.001). Dryness on the 15th day and obstruction on the 7th day VAS scores were significantly higher in Group 2 as compared to Groups 1 and 3 (respectively, p=0.005 and p=0.049). Dryness VAS scores in Group 3 were significantly higher than in Group 1 (respectively, p=0.019 and p=0.001) (Table 4).

Each in-group variation for dryness and crusting was compared with other groups, and no significant difference was found (respectively p=0.126 and p=0.059).

Nasal irrigation solutions are widely used for sinusitis treatment and for removing nasal secretions, infective debris and crusts following nasal surgery. Irrigation solutions contain different minerals and chemicals. Many studies have been conducted using different topical nasal solutions with varying results.1,5–9 The present study used four solutions and compared their effects on patients following septoplasty and bilateral concha radiofrequency.

Mucociliary clearance has an important role in nasal defense mechanisms following endonasal surgery. The saccharine clearance test is the preferred method for measuring mucociliary clearance because it is easily applied, inexpensive, and reliable.7 As is well known, endonasal surgery has adverse effects on mucociliary clearance. Irrigation solutions are employed to reduce these adverse effects as part of postoperative treatment.9 Tap water and isotonic (not buffered) saline solutions are easy to available and widely used in the our country. Recently, the use of hypertonic saline has steadily increased because it reduces edema and increases mucociliary clearance.4,5 Talbot et al.,1 Keojampa et al.,2 and Suslu et al.6 have reported that hypertonic saline increases mucociliary clearance, whereas Homer et al.5 and Low et al.10 reported no difference between isotonic saline and hypertonic saline in terms of mucociliary clearance. The present study revealed no significant difference in the preoperative and both postoperative MCT scores for Group 3 (BISX), but significant differences were found in all the other groups. There were no significant differences in MCT scores among the 4 groups.

Nasal irrigation solutions clear the nose and provide more comfortable breathing. It is said that hypertonic solutions cause nasal tenderness and irritation,11,12 where others say osmotic pressure, reduce mucosal edema, and ameliorate breathing.1 Keojampa et al.2 found no difference between isotonic and hypertonic salines’ effect on breathing, whereas Hauptman et al.13 found that buffered isotonic saline significantly relieves nasal obstruction as compared to hypertonic saline and Suslu et al.6 reported that buffered hypertonic saline relieves nasal obstruction better than non-buffered isotonic saline irrigation solutions. The present study compared the obstruction VAS values on the 7th and 15th postoperative days, finding that the HSW group's values were significantly high (p<0.001). Furthermore, the HSW group's crusting score on the 7th and 15th postoperative days were significantly low (p<0.001). There were no significant differences among the other groups (p>0.05).

Some studies note that patients avoid the use of hypertonic saline due to the nasal irritation it inflicts.1,11 Hauptman et al.13 reported that buffered hypertonic solutions induce nasal irritation and cause burning sensation more than buffered isotonic solutions. Suslu et al.6 reported that buffered isotonic saline causes less burning sensation than non-buffered hypertonic and non-buffered isotonic saline and that the acidity of the solution is an important factor in burning sensation. Salib et al. reported that high-volume, low-pressure Sterimar™ saline irrigations are more effective than low-volume, high-pressure Sinus Rinse™ saline irrigations following endoscopic sinus surgery in the early postoperative period; however, there were no differences noted in ease of use.14 The present study evaluated the dryness VAS values on the 7th and 15th postoperative days and found the HSW group's values to be significantly high. These findings may have been caused by the concentration of the hypertonic solution; the present study used a 2.3% solution, whereas others1,2,13 used a 3% solution. The use of HSW improves edema and crusting of concha following radiofrequency.

Tap water nasal irrigation is widely used in developing countries following endonasal surgery. Use of tap water in treatments of sinusitis and seasonal allergic rhinitis has been studied, but not its use following endonasal surgery.15,16 The present study found that tap water is less effective than other solutions for relieving dryness and obstruction. In addition, tap water poses an extremely low risk of meningoencephalitis from Naegleria fowleri, which makes this a potential health hazard.

The limitations of this study are not double-blinded, lack of rhinomanometry, our scores were dependent on a subjective opinion of the patients and lack of measurements of the nasal irritation and burning sensation which restrict the use of hypertonic solutions.

Hypertonic sea water, especially 2.3%, is the best solution for relieving nasal crusting, dryness, and obstruction following septoplasty and concha radiofrequency.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.