Objectives: To investigate whether the insertion of a Silastic sheet between the middle turbinate and lateral nasal wall can prevent lateral synechia formation when an unstable, floppy middle turbinate results from endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS).
Design: Prospective study.
Setting: University hospital.
Patients: Thirty patients who developed an unstable, floppy middle turbinate during ESS were allocated in order of occurrence as follows: group 1, 15 patients, 17 sides including 2 bilateral cases; group 2, 15 patients, 18 sides including 3 bilateral cases.
Interventions: In group 1, a fan-shaped Silastic sheet was inserted between the middle turbinate and lateral nasal wall and secured to the caudal septum. In group 2, no specific procedure was performed except for meticulous postoperative care to prevent lateralization of the middle turbinate.
Main outcome measure: We observed the patients for 5 months and compared the occurrence rate of synechia formation between the 2 groups.
Results: Synechiae developed in 1 of 17 sides (6%) in group 1 and 8 of 18 sides (44%) in group 2, for success rates of 94% and 56%, respectively. The success rates differed significantly. The middle turbinate was preserved in all patients in group 1.
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the insertion of a Silastic sheet in the middle meatus is a useful method for preventing lateral synechia formation and for preserving the middle turbinate.