STUDY OF BACTERIAL CULTURE IN SINONASAL POLYPOSIS PATIENTS UNDERGOING ENDOSCOPIC SINUS SURGERY.

Chronic rhinosinusitis in one of the most common condition for which a patient seeks advice of a physician. Chronic rhinosinusitis is the inflammation of nose and para nasal sinuses for more than 12 weeks. In US, about 30 million patients per year visit ENT clinics for sinusitis. Sinonasal polyposis (chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps) are a subcategory of sinusitis and constitutes roughly 2-5% of patients with sinusitis. Although polyps are technically tumours, they are not malignant ones. Importance of polyp lies in the fact that nose has several vital functions in humans. First it is an entry point for air that we all breathe. It processes the air, acting as an excellent humidifier. Mucus productionallows particulate trapping. It acts as a radiator that warms air. In addition to all this, it is the seat of sense of smell. Finally nose and paranasal sinuses adds resonance to voice. Cause of nasal polyp in still not clear. Many theories are being hypothesised but not proven beyond doubt. Whatever be the cause, polyp can cause nasal obstruction and affect the quality of life of patients. Hence treatment is a must for any symptomatic nasal polyp. Judicious use of antibiotics are a must for successful outcome of any surgery especially head and neck surgeries. Endoscopic Sinus Surgery is not an exception. Antibiotics, however do not have a direct impact on the immediate postoperative outcome. Its effect is by controlling the bacterial load (both normal and pathogenic), which affects long term outcome. Antibiotics resistance mainly due to rampant and injudicious use of antibiotics is now a major factor affecting many treatment decisions. Infact it is now proven to be one of important causes for failure in Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, but not the most common. Hence it was necessary to evaluate the bacterial culture and sensitivity in polyposis cases and to determine the effectiveness of commonly used antibiotics.