The idea of stenting a sinus cavity has been around for a long time. There are descriptions in the literature that date back greater than 100 years of various stents to maintain patency of the various sinus passages. One of the first described stents was a gold tube used by Dr. Ingals in 1905 and later in 1921, Dr. Lynch, illustrated the use of a rubber stent to keep the frontal sinus open.

Fast forward to 2011 and it only took science and industry 90 years to develop a steroid coated stent that dissolves in the sinus. A company with roots in cardiovascular medicine, Intersect, developed the Propel sinus implant which was introduced in 2011. Propel is a dissolvable steroid-releasing implant that is designed to offer localized, controlled delivery of steroid directly to the sinus tissue to maintain the surgically created openings. When placed in the sinus following surgery, propel decreases scarring and inflammation, reducing the need for additional surgical procedures as well as oral steroids and their potential side effects.

The spring like Propel implant props open the ethmoid sinus to maintain the surgical opening, delivers an anti-inflammatory medication directly to the sinus lining, and then dissolves, avoiding the need for removal. The result is improved surgical outcomes, reducing the need for additional surgical procedures and for systemic steroids, which can have significant side effects.

Three initial rigorous clinical trials have demonstrated that the implant is safe and maintains the results of sinus surgery by propping open the sinus cavities and decreasing post operative scarring and inflammation.

Dr. Karanfilov is honored to have been a contributor and author in these trials. He also serves as a blinded independent expert reviewer for current studies underway, evaluating future products, and new indications. Dr. Karanfilov was the first surgeon in Ohio to use the Propel steroid stent and has more experience with the implant than any surgeon in the area.  Newer indications are now allowing some patients to receive treatment with the implant in the office setting under local anesthesia.

For more information on the Propel stent please visit www.propelopens.com

Dr. Karanfilov offers a non-surgical procedure for patients who suffer from repeat nasal polyps with SINUVA™ (mometasone furoate) Sinus Implant. SINUVA is proven to reduce polyps and nasal congestion and obstruction.1

What is SINUVA?
SINUVA is a sinus implant that treats nasal polyps without surgery. During a routine office visit, Dr. Karanfilov will use topical and/or local anesthesia to numb the patient’s nose and sinuses. SINUVA is then placed in the sinus cavity through the nasal opening.

How SINUVA works
Its innovative design provides a 2-in-1 approach: it is designed to open in the sinus cavity and release anti-inflammatory medicine to treat nasal polyps for up to 90 days.

SINUVA benefits (at day 90)2
•Significantly reduces nasal obstruction and congestion
•Significantly improves impaired sense of smell

The most common adverse reactions observed in a clinical trial were bronchitis, upper respiratory or middle ear infection, headache, light-headedness, asthma and nose bleed. SINUVA is indicated for adults with nasal polyps who have had ethmoid sinus surgery.

For more information about SINUVA, visit www.SINUVA.com. For education and resources on chronic sinusitis and chronic sinusitis treatment options, visit www.MySinusitis.com.

1SINUVA Prescribing Information, Intersect ENT. December 2017.
2Data on file, Intersect ENT. RESOLVE II Rev. 3.0 CSR R 28017; February 2017.