Intra-Sinus Povidone-Iodine and Budesonide After Endoscopic Sinus Surgery for Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a chronic inflammatory condition that can significantly impact quality of life. Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is performed in patients with CRS who do not respond adequately to medical therapy, with the goals of improving sinus drainage, reducing disease burden, and facilitating postoperative topical treatment delivery. However, postoperative inflammation and impaired mucosal healing may persist despite surgery and standard postoperative care.

Povidone-iodine (PVP-I) has broad antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, while budesonide is a corticosteroid commonly used intranasally to reduce sinonasal inflammation. Although both agents are individually used in sinonasal care, the efficacy and safety of their combined intra-sinus administration in a gel-forming suspension following ESS have not been well established.

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial will evaluate the efficacy and safety of an intra-sinus gel-forming suspension containing PVP-I and budesonide administered at the time of ESS in adult patients with CRS. Participants will be randomized to receive either the investigational gel-forming suspension or a placebo gel following completion of surgery.

Participants will be followed postoperatively according to standard clinical care. The primary outcome will assess endoscopic appearance of the sinus cavities three months following ESS using a validated endoscopic scoring system. Secondary outcomes will evaluate postoperative sinonasal symptoms, mucosal healing, and treatment-related adverse events.

The results of this study will help determine whether intra-sinus delivery of a combined PVP-I and budesonide gel-forming suspension improves postoperative endoscopic outcomes and supports its use as an adjunctive therapy following ESS in patients with CRS.

Inclusion criteria

Age 19 years or older Scheduled for Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (ESS)

Exclusion criteria

Cystic fibrosis Systemic vasculitis Known or suspected hypersensitivity to povidone iodine Inhaled drug use (i.e., cocaine) in the preceding 6 months Nasal tumors Known or suspected immunodeficiencies Pregnant women Breast feeding women