Do you often have sinus problems? Your nose is stuffy, your head is heavy, and you often have mucus. Perhaps your doctor has recommended that you undergo sinus surgery as a solution. Today, we are going to talk about a special method that can be used to speed up the healing process after such surgery and prevent these problems from recurring. This is called the Mometasone sinus implant, which is a small medical device that is placed in the sinus cavities of the nose.
Simply put, what is this Mometasone sinus implant?
Imagine this is a very small, thread-thin, spring-shaped device. It's made of a material that dissolves naturally in the body. Inside this small device is a drug. That drug is Mometasone .
Mometasone belongs to a class of medications called corticosteroids . Their main function is to reduce swelling and inflammation in the body.
So, after sinus surgery, your ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeon will place this small device inside your sinus cavity. From there, it will start releasing the medication Mometasone.
There are two main benefits to this:
1. Speeding up recovery after surgery: After surgery, the tissues inside the sinuses can swell. The medication released from this implant helps control that swelling and keep the sinus passages open without them becoming blocked again.
2. Nasal Polyps Control: Some people develop small fleshy growths (polyps) inside their noses. Even if they are surgically removed, they can grow back. This implant reduces the risk of those polyps growing back.
The best part is, it does its job in a few weeks and dissolves on its own. That means you don't have to have another surgery to remove it. You might see these under brand names like `(Propel)` or `(SINUVA)`.
Things you need to tell your doctor before this treatment
Since this is a treatment that you will be given by a doctor, it is essential that he knows your complete health history. Be sure to tell him/her about the following in particular.
| The situation that affects you | Reasons to inform the doctor |
|---|---|
| Current infection status E.g. Tuberculosis, Herpes, Fungal infection | Steroid medications like Mometasone can slightly reduce the body's immune system, so if you already have an infection, it may become worse. |
| Allergies Especially if you are allergic to Mometasone, other corticosteroids, or the materials from which the implant is made (lactide, glycolide, caprolactone copolymers). | Ingesting a substance to which you are allergic can cause severe allergic reactions. Therefore, inform us in advance about any allergies. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | Any medication should be used with extreme caution during pregnancy. Your doctor will consider the pros and cons of this treatment and make the best decision. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother | You need to consider whether the medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk. Therefore, it is important to inform the doctor about this as well. |
Things to consider after implant placement
This is not something you can do at home. It is inserted by the doctor himself in the hospital or clinic after the surgery. After that, there are a few things you need to be careful about.
- Follow-ups: Be sure to return for follow-ups as your doctor tells you to. That's when you can see exactly how your recovery is going .
- Other nasal medications: Do not use other nasal sprays or medications as you feel comfortable without your doctor's advice.
- Saline Sprays: Often, your doctor will recommend using a saline nasal rinse or saline spray to keep the inside of your nose moist and clean after surgery. Follow these instructions carefully.
The most important thing is to follow your doctor's instructions exactly after the surgery. Don't do whatever you feel like doing. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor directly.
What are the possible side effects?
As with any medical treatment, there are some minor side effects that can occur. But these are usually not serious. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Type of side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| If you have these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately. | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Vision changes | Blurred vision or other changes. |
| Eye pain | Constant pain in the eyes. |
| Implant movement | The inserted device may feel like it is moving around, or coming out of the nose. |
| Signs of an infection | Fever, chills, cough, sore throat. |
| These are usually not serious, but if they persist, tell your doctor. | |
| Inflammation of the nose or sinuses | Feeling a slight burning or discomfort. |
| Headaches and sinus pressure | Headache or feeling of pressure in the sinus area. |
| Nosebleed | A few drops of blood coming from the nose. |
| Sore throat | A slight soreness or tickling sensation in the throat. |
What to do in an emergency?
It is very rare for this implant to cause a severe reaction. However, if you experience a sudden severe allergic reaction (such as facial swelling, difficulty breathing), go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
If you suspect that another medication you are taking is causing a problem, you can also contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Take-Home Message
- A mometasone sinus implant is a small device that a doctor places in the sinus cavity after sinus surgery to speed up healing and prevent problems from recurring.
- This is not something you can use at home.
- This device releases medication over several weeks and dissolves in the body on its own. It does not require surgery to remove it.
- Before treatment, be sure to tell your doctor about all your allergies, existing medical conditions, and whether you are pregnant/breastfeeding.
- Follow the doctor's instructions after surgery (such as using saline, returning for checkups, etc.) exactly.
- Call your doctor immediately if you develop severe allergic symptoms, vision changes, or signs of infection.
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