Reported February 2006

BACKGROUND: A gel made from a patient's own blood reduces pain and may improve the rate of wound healing following sinus surgery. The study compared 16 patients who received platelet gel after surgery with a control group who received traditional post-surgery packing material. The first group of patients reported less pain and an easier recovery than the control group, with no adverse reactions to the gel.

HOW IT WORKS: A small amount of the patient's blood is drawn and placed into a centrifuge machine to separate out the platelet-rich plasma -- a process similar to the way a salad spinner removes water droplets off fresh lettuce. This gel is then sprayed into the sinus cavity after surgery. The gel contains platelets for clotting, growth hormones for healing, and white blood cells to fight infection, and there is no risk of disease because it is made from the patient's own blood. The gel replaces temporary sponges or sterile packing in the nasal cavity, which can be uncomfortable, painful, and may restrict breathing. Unlike the traditional material, which must be removed after a few days, the plasma gel is absorbed into the sinus cavity.

ABOUT SINUSITIS: Four pairs of air-filled spaces in the head make up the sinus cavity. The sinuses moisten and warm the air we breathe, and filter out particles like dust, spores, and bacteria. Each sinus is lined with tissue or mucous membrane that produces a fluid to keep the sinuses moist and clean, and drains naturally through the nose. Colds or allergies may cause the membrane to become inflamed; the blockage can lead to bacterial growth and sinus infection. Symptoms include headaches, nasal congestion, post-nasal drip and facial pressure. In more severe cases, the inflammation can cause polyps to form, which must be surgically removed. Over 30 million people, or 14 percent of the U.S. population, suffer from chronic sinusitis; nearly a quarter of those develop polyps.

ABOUT ENDOSCOPIC SURGERY: Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is performed using instruments inserted through the nose to remove thickened and diseased tissue, while disturbing as little healthy tissue as possible. The endoscope is like a mini-telescope, giving the surgeon a better view of the sinus cavity. ESS is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia.

The American Society for Microbiology contributed to the information contained in the TV portion of this report.

If you would like more information, please contact:

Rush University Medical Center
653 W. Congress Parkway
Chicago, IL 60612
(888) 352-RUSH
(312) 942-5000

FACTOID...

Over 350,000 sinus surgeries are performed annually in the United States.