OBJECTIVETo observe the action of Chinese herbal preparation (CHP) on the recovery of nasal sinus mucosa after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS).

METHODSSeventy-eight patients (140 sinus) with chronic nasosinusitis and nasal polyps, who had undergone ESS, were divided into two groups. The 40 patients (70 sinuses) in the experiment group were treated with daily nasal flushing with diluted CHP while the 38 patients (70 sinuses) in the control group were untreated. Tissues of nasal mucosa were taken out from patients' posterior walls of maxillary sinus at different time points, i. e. 2 - 3 weeks, 8 - 11 weeks and 13 - 15 weeks after ESS were observed.

RESULTSSignificant difference was shown between the two groups under endoscope at all the time points in occurrence (patient/sinus) of sticky mucus, swelling and thickened mucus, occlusion of sinus opening, bloody secretion in sinus, and adhesion, etc. (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Light microscopic examination showed significant difference between the two groups in occurrence (patient/sinus) of squamous epithelial metaplasia and fiber tissues proliferation (P <0.05). And electron microscopic examination also showed significant difference between the two groups in occurrence (patient/sinus) of inflammatory cell infiltration, fibers decrease, disordered arrangement, microvilli and short cilia (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONUsing CHP for postoperative nasal flushing after ESS is a safe and manageable approach with effects in promoting nasal mucosa recovery.