Innovative frontal sinus stent acting as a local drug-releasing system

Drug-Eluting Nasal Implants: Formulation, Characterization, Clinical Applications and Challenges

“…Main methods include solvent casting, solvent extrusion and compression. In solvent casting method, extended release polymers are dissolved in a suitable solvent such dichloromethane [46] or acetone [38]. Sterile drug solution is then added to the polymer solution under gentle stirring.…”

“…The solution is then allowed to settle for a few minutes and then cast in to a teflon mold of a desired diameter. The films are allowed to dry for a few days or vacuum dried to completely remove solvent residues and then cut in to pieces of desired size [46,47]. An example of this type of implant is dexamethasone/ethyl vinyl acetate (EVAC) scaffold.…”

“…An example of this type of implant is dexamethasone/ethyl vinyl acetate (EVAC) scaffold. Although this approach is not based on micro or nano particles approach, the drug is entrapped in EVAC polymer matrix that enables a constant release of dexamethasone for over 30 days [46,47]. Solvent casting methods have several disadvantages and cannot be used for industrial scale up as they require large amounts of organic solvents to dissolve PLGA and drugs to fabricate into an implant.…”

Physiology and pathophysiology of respiratory mucosa of the nose and the paranasal sinuses

“…An additional innovative method of topical therapy is the employment of drug-releasing stents [219]. Releasing dexamethasone, granulation formation [96] and osteoneogenese [93] are decreased significantly, without impeding reepithelialisation.…”

Nasal packing and stenting

“…First results with frontal sinus stents drenched in dexamethasone [87] seem promising, but must be confirmed in larger studies. The use of cytostatic taxol (paclitacel), which also shows anti-angiogenetic and anti-proliferative qualities in animals showed results comparable to uncoated stents 4 weeks after placement (N=4) [88].…”