Advances in Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Rhinology is one of the newest medical specialties with many exciting technological advances occurring in recent years. Endoscopic sinus surgery began in the 1980s, and has progressed in leaps and bounds over the ensuing decades. Dr. Meier attends multiple courses annually to stay up to date on the newest technologies employed in the medical and surgical management of chronic sinusitis and diseases of the anterior skull base.

Dr. Meier uses a combination of old and new products to ensure proper healing after endoscopic sinus surgery. He uses a new product, Posisep X, which is a dissolvable dressing made from Chitosan, a naturally occurring molecule that has hemostatic and anti-inflammatory properties. Most of the Posisep will rinse out in the week after sinus surgery.

Another product Dr. Meier uses is the Propel stent in specific cases. This is a degradable steroid-eluting stent that stays in the ethmoid cavity for one month after surgery. By delivering mometasone, it can decrease inflammation after endoscopic sinus surgery.

Dr. Meier does not use splints or non-absorbable packing after endoscopic sinus surgery and septoplasty. This is because of the mucosal-preserving techniques he uses, which reduce bleeding, and speeds up healing and recovery. When packing is not used, there is minimal pain after nasal surgery.

Under Dr. Meier’s guidance, both Renown and St. Mary’s have upgraded their endoscopy camera and tower to the Karl Storz Image One system. Video examples of this technology can be seen at the Karl Storz website. This advanced, high-definition technology has enabled Dr. Meier to perform more complicated endoscopic sinus surgery involving the skull base, the frontal and sphenoid sinuses.

Josh Meier, M.D. F.A.R.S.