Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39104020›Full record

SynthesisJournal of otolaryngology - head & neck surgery = Le Journal d'oto-rhino-laryngologie et de chirurgie cervico-faciale

Necessary Factors for Efficient Frontal Sinus Irrigation After Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Yingting Qi, Junsheng Hong, Dawei Wu

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of otolaryngology - head & neck surgery = Le Journal d'oto-rhino-laryngologie et de chirurgie cervico-faciale. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Nasal irrigation solution is less cytotoxic to nasal epithelial cells than nasal spray.Indian journal of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery : official publication of the Association of Otolaryngologists of India · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Yingting QiDepartment of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, PR China.
Junsheng HongDepartment of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China.
Dawei WuDepartment of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, PR China.ORCID 0000-0003-4888-3255

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThe frontal sinus remains a challenging site for irrigation due to its position relative to the nostril and ethmoid sinus. This study aims to summarize the necessary factors for efficient irrigation of the frontal sinus after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) among patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

methodsUsing Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic literature review was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases to identify studies assessing the effect of frontal sinus irrigation in patients with CRS, cadaver models, or 3D-printed models of the sinonasal cavity after ESS.

resultsOf the initial 206 abstracts reviewed, 18 full-text articles were included. The degree of the frontal sinus ostium opening after ESS was found to be associated with the efficacy of frontal sinus irrigation. More extensive frontal sinus surgeries tended to increase frontal sinus penetration. A Draf IIA procedure was identified as the minimum standard to achieve sufficient irrigation in the frontal sinus. Due to decreased backpressure in the nasal passage, increasing septectomy in Draf III did not significantly improve irrigation delivery. Squeeze bottles achieved significantly higher irrigation flow in the frontal sinus than syringes and pulsating devices. Large-volume irrigation devices provided better irrigation for the frontal sinus by entering or flushing the entire frontal sinus. The head position influenced the frontal sinus irrigation by altering the ostia position relative to fluid flow and vertical height of the frontal sinus during irrigation. While the vertex down head position was likely to enhance frontal sinus irrigation, the comfort of the head position and patient compliance should be considered.

conclusionElements for optimization of frontal sinus irrigation are a minimum of a Draf IlA procedure for frontal sinus dissection, use of large-volume irrigation, and vertex down head positioning. Developing comfortable head positions with high frontal sinus irrigation efficiency would increase patient compliance and improve outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA.

Indexed as

EndoscopyFrontal SinusRhinitisSinusitisTherapeutic IrrigationChronic DiseaseHumanschronic rhinosinusitisendoscopic sinus surgeryfrontal sinusnasal irrigation

Identifiers

PMID39104020
PMCPMC11304481

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.