Nasal saline irrigation: a clinical update

BACKGROUND: Nasal saline irrigation (NSI) plays an important role in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). It is a beneficial low-risk treatment that serves an adjunctive function in the medical and surgical management of CRS. NSI is hypothesized to function by thinning mucous, improving mucociliary clearance, decreasing edema, and reducing antigen load in the nasal and sinus cavities. Although its use in CRS is nearly universal, significant variety exists with regard to delivery volume, delivery pressure, frequency of use, duration of use, composition, and hygiene recommendations. Evidence is limited regarding the most optimal methods of NSI delivery. In addition, use of NSI has recently come under increasing scrutiny due to potential associations with cases of primary amebic meningoencephalitis. METHODS: In this review we provide a clinical update summarizing use of NSI for treatment of CRS, including current recommendations for use, and data regarding overall efficacy, available delivery devices, solution composition, and hygiene. RESULTS: Current evidence and recommendations for nasal saline delivery methods, composition, and hygiene are presented. CONCLUSION: The most recent consensus statements and Cochrane Review recommend the use of NSI for CRS based on a preponderance of lower level evidence. A conclusion regarding the optimal method of delivery and solution composition cannot be drawn based on the current literature.