5 Fluorouracil: Does It Impact Postoperative Nasal Adhesion

Abstract

Introduction: Adhesions are one of the most common complications after endoscopic nasal surgery and cause of functional endoscopic sinus surgery revision. 5-Fluorouracil has been used by many medical specialties to reduce different adhesions and epithelial growth-related complications.
Aim and objectives: To Evaluate the effect of topical 5-fluorouracil application in the nasal cavity on preventing nasal adhesions after endoscopic partial inferior turbinectomy combined with septoplasty and to compare it with the results of only packing with silastic sheets in the contralateral side.
Subjects and methods: We selected 30 patients who are suffering from chronic nasal obstruction due to hypertrophied inferior turbinate and deviated nasal septum indicated for endoscopic partial inferior turbinectomy combined with Septoplasty, presenting to the Al -Azhar University hospitals (Al-Hussein & Sayed Galal).All patients were subjected to complete clinical examination after history taking, then Endoscopic examination and Computed Topography to nose and Paranasal sinuses.Postoperative follow-up for 6 months after septoplasty and partial inferior turbinectomy.
Results: There was no statistically significant difference on application of silastic or 5-Fluorouracil in both groups along 6 months follow-up except at one week postoperatively.
Conclusion: We concluded that 5-FU is a good method for prevention of postoperative complications mainly adhesions formation and postoperative pain, headache and nasal obstruction in the 1st week postoperatively giving higher degree of safety.