Mucosal wound healing after nasal surgery. A controlled clinical trial on the efficacy of hyaluronic acid containing cream

In the present clinical trial the efficacy of a new nasal cream containing hyaluronic acid (Rhinogen(R)) on mucosal wound healing has been evaluated i n comparison to an ointment (H.E.C.(R)), which is commonly prescribed for t his disorder in Switzerland. A total of 56 patients recovering from surgica l operation of the nasal cavities participated in this study. In both treat ment groups (Rhinogen(R) n = 27 patients, H.E.C.(R) n = 29 patients) respir ation and the condition of the nasal mucosa clearly improved. The statistic al comparison between the two treatments showed a significant difference in favor of Rhinogen(R). With regard to the improvement in respiration, the R hinogen(R)-treated group showed a faster and greater progress than did the H.E.C.(R)-treated group. Furthermore, hyaluronic acid prevented extensive c rust formation during the first week of wound healing. The analysis of the efficacy of the treatments, judged by both the patients and the investigato r showed the overall superiority of Rhinogen(R) (patients: p = 0.0041, inve stigator: p = 0.0023) after 6 weeks of treatment. Furthermore, Rhinogen(R) scored significantly better than H.E.C.(R) with respect to the organoleptic parameters of smell and sensation of cooling. Both treatments were well to lerated. No adverse reactions were reported or observed for Rhinogen(R), wh ereas three patients in the H.E.C.(R)-treated group complained of sore thro at and burning sensation when the ointment flowed down into the pharynx. In conclusion, this study confirms the therapeutic benefit of hyaluronic acid in mucosal wound healing.