Polyhydrated ionogen enhances postoperative sinonasal ciliated remucosalization

Background Mucosalization of the sinonasal cavity following surgery is critical for successful outcomes. Recently a novel anti‐protease compound, polyhydrated‐ionogen (PHI) with Mg 2+ /Br − , demonstrated improved dermal wound healing. We set out to investigate the effect of PHI Mg 2+ /Br − on sinus remucosalization following surgery. Methods A total of 24 rabbits underwent bilateral medial‐wall maxillary mucosal stripping followed by placement of an indwelling irrigation catheter. In a randomized fashion 1 side received 3 cc normal saline (NS) daily, while the contralateral side received PHI Mg 2+ /Br − . Following a 14‐day therapeutic trial, remucosalization was assessed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemistry for β‐tubulin, a marker of cilia. A semiquantitative grading of ciliated remucosalization was applied with a chi‐square test used to compare distributions for each treatment. Results H&E staining comparison demonstrated NS treated sinuses (n = 24) had substantial bare areas with predominant ciliation scores under 30%. The PHI Mg 2+ /Br − ‐treated group (n = 24) achieved a statistically significant improvement in reciliation (>60%) when compared with NS ( p < 0.01). These results were confirmed with Type IV β‐tubulin staining ( p < 0.01). Conclusion Poor postsurgical sinonasal mucosa healing results in adverse clinical outcomes. In a rabbit model of sinonasal mucosal healing, daily irrigation for 14 days with PHI Mg 2+ /Br − ‐enhanced ciliated remucosalization compared to saline. © 2011 ARS‐AAOA, LLC.