CHICAGO, Ill. (Ivanhoe Newswire)— Stuffy nose, headaches, coughing, facial and ear pain. These are just some of the symptoms for chronic sinusitis. Allergy shots and medications may work for some, but for patients whose condition is resistant, surgery may be an option. But sometimes a revision surgery is also needed. Now an innovative FDA approved tool is reducing the need for multiple surgeries and bringing patients much needed relief. Ivanhoe has the details.
Carol Temkin is all about music, family, and her dog Tucker.
But her chronic sinus issues made these moments tough to enjoy.
“I would just have these times where I couldn’t breathe. It was very hard to just live everyday life,” shared Carol.
Temkin tried allergy shots, over-the-counter medication, nasal sprays, and even antibiotics.
“So pretty much, I was doing everything that I could do to make it better, but it wasn’t getting better,” said Carol.
Ear, nose, and throat doctor Ryan Vaughn believed surgery could be an option for Temkin. However due to scarring, “The likelihood of needing surgery again can be as high as 50 to 60 percent, depending on the patient’s conditions,” stated Ryan Vaughn, M.D., Founder, CEO, and Director, Exhale Sinus and Facial Pain Center.
But an innovative FDA-approved stent is reducing the need for revision surgery.
“The PROPEL stent is able to be placed after the sinus has been opened and what it does is actually sits inside the opening, putting pressure outward in a gentle fashion and also releasing an anti-inflammatory medication,” explained Dr. Vaughn.
Preventing the sinus from scarring and meaning more surgery later on. Temkin had surgery and had the PROPEL stent added in and is feeling much better now.
“As my husband says, ‘you’re not snoring.’ I can breathe through my nose, so it’s pretty amazing,” smiled Carol.
The PROPEL stent stays inside the sinus for about 45 days and dissolves on its own. Dr. Vaughn says once sinus surgery is performed and the PROPEL stent is placed in, patients will start to see relief in a matter of days.
Contributors to this news report include: Milvionne Chery, Field Producer; and Roque Correa, Videographer and Editor.
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MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGHS
RESEARCH SUMMARY
TOPIC: PROPEL STENT CLEARS CHRONIC SINUSITIS
REPORT: MB #4988
BACKGROUND: Chronic sinusitis is an inflammation and infection in the sinuses that lasts a long time. The sinuses consist of four paired spaces in the head that are connected by narrow channels. The four spaces are named for the bones they are near: ethmoidal, sphenoidal, frontal and maxillary. Thin mucus that is made from the sinuses drain out of these channels. The sinuses can become infected when they are blocked and filled with fluid, which is referred to as sinusitis. There are several kinds of sinusitis: acute, subacute, chronic, and recurrent. Unlike chronic sinusitis, acute sinusitis typically lasts only a few days, but can last up to four weeks, before going away with minimal or no treatment. Chronic sinusitis may require different types of treatment. Surgery is sometimes needed in severe cases that do not respond to other methods.
(Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17700-chronic-sinusitis)
CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS: Chronic sinusitis can be caused by many factors including blocked airways from asthma or allergies or conditions such as cystic fibrosis; bacterial, viral, or fungal infections; abnormal nose structures, like a deviated septum; polyps; or a weak immune system. Chronic sinusitis is diagnosed when symptoms of a sinus infection have continued for more than 12 weeks. In some cases, your doctor may use an endoscope to see the inside of your nose and sinuses. Symptoms of chronic sinusitis can include tenderness or pressure in the face; post-nasal drip; nasal discharge (thick yellow or green discharge from nose) or a stuffy nose; toothache, ear pain and/or headache; cough; tiredness; ear pain; loss of the senses of taste and smell; or halitosis (bad breath).
(Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17700-chronic-sinusitis)
NEW DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR SINUS STENT: Intersect ENT has been granted FDA approval for a new delivery system for use with its Propel Mini sinus stent that releases an anti-inflammatory steroid. The devices work by propping open the sinuses and releasing the steroid directly into the sinus lining after surgery and then dissolve. The new delivery system is expected to shorten procedure times while improving ease of use for the physician. The stent separates surrounding mucosal tissues to provide stabilization of the middle turbinate, prevents obstruction, and reduces inflammation. Turbinates are the network of bones, vessels and tissue that form the nasal passageway.
(Source: https://www.medtechdive.com/news/new-delivery-system-for-sinus-stent-gains-fda-approval/559700/)
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS REPORT, PLEASE CONTACT:
ERICH SANDOVAL
erich.sandoval@finnpartners.com
If this story or any other Ivanhoe story has impacted your life or prompted you or someone you know to seek or change treatments, please let us know by contacting Marjorie Bekaert Thomas at mthomas@ivanhoe.com
