Sublabial bioactive glass implantation for the management of primary atrophic rhinitis and empty nose syndrome: Operative technique

Objectives: Atrophic rhinitis (AR) and empty nose syndrome (ENS) are chronic diseases characterized by a paradoxical nasal obstruction. These rare syndromes tend to occur after nasal surgery of the inferior turbinates in ENS and can be idiopathic in AR. Medical treatments alone are often insufficient. Surgical options are challenging and numerous resorbable and nonresorbable implants have been described in small series, with as many surgical techniques described. Whereas current surgical procedures are for risk of extrusions, graft rejections or poor lasting results, the use of GlassBONE™ (Sodimed®, Avignon, France), a bioactive glass, for a vestibular approach in AR and ENS has never been reported for this indication.

Methods: We described an original technique of nasal submucoperiosteal bilateral ceramic glass implantation in two patients with AR and ENS.

Results: The two cases presented a postoperative satisfying endoscopic and sinus CT-scan results with filling of the nasal cavities, with less crusts and a complete wound healing. They had no short-term complications.

Conclusion: This innovative approach is easily feasible and could be an option considered for the surgical management of AR and ENS. Level of evidence: 4.