Steroid-Eluting Implants Could Be New Way to Treat Sinusitis

The Propel steroid-eluting stent (left) and the Propel Mini.

In August 2011, the steroid-eluting implant Propel (manufactured by Intersect ENT, Palo Alto, Calif.) received approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to maintain sinus patency following ethmoid sinus surgery. It is the first product of its kind to deliver steroids locally to the ethmoid sinus cavity to reduce the need for systemic anti-inflammation medication, potentially reducing the need for post-operative intervention such as surgical adhesion lysis. As such, it is considered a long-needed technology by clinicians who have used it.