Computational fluid dynamics simulation of complete nasal saline irrigation in pre- and post-functional endoscopic surgery: A comparative analysis

Saline nasal irrigation is crucial for post-operative recovery in patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Recognizing the significant changes in nasal anatomy post-surgery, this study explores the effects of airway geometry alterations on flow dynamics, as the airway differs markedly from those in pre-operative or healthy nasal airways. This study analyses the dispersion patterns of saline irrigation flow in reshaped nasal cavities following FESS using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The application of the nasal saline irrigation bottle involved having the head tilted at a 45-degree angle forward, emulating a stance over a sink during irrigation. The investigation includes comparative analyses of saline irrigation performed both pre- and post-surgery on the same patients. The simulations span 16 s, allocating 4.5 s for the irrigation of each nasal cavity side. Our findings reveal consistent coverage of the nasal passage surfaces by the saline solution in both pre- and post-surgical conditions. Notably, the post-surgery simulations demonstrate enhanced penetration of saline into all sinuses, including those areas that were not effectively irrigated prior to surgery. These results underscore the efficacy of saline nasal irrigation in the post-operative care of FESS patients, highlighting its role in facilitating optimal recovery by adequately reaching altered sinus structures.