Nasal Mucous Pathway after Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Background: Mucociliary Clearance (MCC) is a critical respiratory system defense mechanism. It helps in protecting the airways by clearing inhaled pathogens, allergens, and pollutants. This study aimed to analyze the postoperative nasal function in patients group who had failed appropriate medical treatment and required surgical intervention for chronic sinus infection by F.E.S.S. Methods: This study was conducted on 117 subject who were divided into four groups: The first group: (control group) included sinuses tested as a control group, the second group: The sinuses tested pre-operatively, the third group: sinuses tested 8 – 18 months post-operatively, the fourth group: sinuses tested 8-18 months after the operation with residual or recurrent infection. All studied cases were subjected to E.N.T examination, diagnostic endoscopy, C.T. scan on P.N.S Results: The second group showed edematous mucosa, polyp or granulation tissue and when the contrast placed either delayed movement or stasis for long time, average velocity .47 mm/min, average time 21 minutes. The third group: The MCC had an average velocity of 1.1, average time 9 minutes. The fourth group showed slow of the mucociliary clearance, mucociliary stasis is the abnormal pathway, swirling and stasis of the nasal mucous, are the most observed finding among patients with recurrent and persistent sinusitis, with average velocity .4 mm/minutes, average time 25 minutes. Conclusion: With better sinus drainage and ventilation after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), the damaged ciliated epithelium of the sinus mucosa in chronic sinusitis has the potential to regenerate and go back to normal.