SINUVA Product Update: Medtronic has announced the discontinuation of SINUVA sinus implant production. This decision was not related to concerns about the product’s safety, efficacy or quality. SINUVA contributed to the development of office-based treatment options for recurrent nasal polyps. Dr. Stolovitzky participated as a principal investigator in its clinical development. Other treatment options remain available for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.
For current treatment options, please see the Nasal Polyps page. The information below is retained as a record of SINUVA and the clinical research behind it.
What Is SINUVA
SINUVA is a sinus implant that was developed to treat nasal polyps without surgery. During a routine office visit, the physician used topical and/or local anesthesia to numb the nose and sinuses. SINUVA was then placed in the sinus cavity through the nasal opening.
How SINUVA Works
Its innovative design provides a 2-in-1 approach: it was designed to open in the sinus cavity and release anti-inflammatory medicine to treat nasal polyps for up to 90 days.
SINUVA Benefits
In clinical trials, after 90 days, treatment with SINUVA:
- Significantly reduced nasal obstruction and congestion
- Significantly improved impaired sense of smell
The most common adverse reactions observed in a clinical trial were bronchitis, upper respiratory or middle ear infection, headache, light-headedness, asthma and nosebleed.
SINUVA was indicated for adults with nasal polyps who have had ethmoid sinus surgery.
The Sinuva implant was designed for the in-office treatment of chronic sinusitis with polyps in patients who had previous sinus surgery. Clinical research showed that it was a safe and effective treatment for recurrent polyps.1 Dr. Pablo Stolovitzky was one of the National Principal Investigators in charge of Sinuva clinical trials.
What Are the Alternatives to SINUVA?
Patients whose nasal polyps return after sinus surgery still have several options. Treatment is individualized and may include:
- Medical therapy: saline irrigation and intranasal corticosteroids, with short courses of oral steroids in selected cases.
- Biologic therapy: injectable medications that target the inflammation behind nasal polyps in selected patients.
- Endoscopic sinus surgery: revision surgery to remove polyps and reopen the sinuses when disease is more extensive.
Call Dr. Stolovitzky at (404) 921-5474 to discuss current treatment options for nasal polyps or to schedule an appointment.
Citations
[1] In-office Placement of Mometasone Furoate Sinus Implants for Recurrent Nasal Polyps: A Pooled Analysis. Stolovitzky JP, Kern RC, Han JK, et.al. Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2019 Sep;33(5):545-558.