The PROPEL™ steroid-releasing bioabsorbable implant to improve outcomes of sinus surgery

Chronic rhinosinusitis is widely recognized as one of the most common chronic disease entities. Since its introduction in the USA in 1985, the role of functional endoscopic sinus surgery as an adjunct to medical therapy in the treatment of chronic sinus disease has expanded significantly. Corticosteroids are an integral part of the management of the mucosal inflammation in chronic rhinosinusitis, and it is generally accepted that existing routes of delivery to the sinus mucosa are suboptimal. The PROPEL (TM) steroid-releasing implant (Intersect ENT) initiates a new era in topical therapy providing controlled drug delivery directly to the sinus tissue. The mometasone furoate-releasing implant has been clinically proven to prevent obstruction of the ethmoid sinus following surgery and recently received US FDA approval. Initial studies demonstrate improved postoperative healing with the device, thus reducing the need for additional surgical procedures such as adhesion lysis and systemic steroids.