Proetz lavage of the nasal cavity is a therapeutic medical procedure performed to treat nasopharyngeal diseases. Timely lavage of the nose by Proetz helps to avoid such an unpleasant procedure as a puncture of the maxillary sinuses with sinusitis. Today, nasal lavage “Cuckoo” by Proetz method is considered the safest and most effective ENT procedure.

In what cases is it appointed?

Nasal lavage by Proetz “Cuckoo” is carried out in the following cases:

• severe sinusitis;
• chronic rhinitis;
• deviation of the nasal septum;
• adenoiditis;
• frequent inflammation of adenoids;
• chronic rhinitis;
• allergic rhinitis.

In most cases, nasal lavage is carried out with ENT pathologies that occur in a chronic form, after a course of medications and physiotherapy. “Cuckoo” method of washing the sinuses by Proetz helps to avoid several complications.

Only in cases where the disease is aggravated by concomitant diseases and complications are present, the procedure may not provide the desired result. In such situations, the introduction of drugs directly into the nasal cavity is used, sometimes surgical intervention is required.

Contraindications to the procedure

Nasal lavage by Proetz method has several contraindications:

• small age (it can only be prescribed to a child of he/she correctly responds to the doctor’s instructions);
• impairment of arterial circulation in the spinal column;
• pathologies of the neck;
• pregnancy and lactation;
• individual allergic reactions to individual components of the drugs used.

Before the lavage of the nose, the patient is examined and the doctor also examines his detailed history.

How is the procedure performed?

Nasal lavage by Proetz method is called “Cuckoo” because of sounds that are heard from the sinus during the procedure. During lavage, the patient lies on the couch. If the patient reacts sensitively to medical manipulations, local anaesthesia is used. The patient’s head is always slightly tilted (at the angle of 45 degrees).

During lavage, mainly children are laid on the couch, adult patients can sit in a chair. Drugs that are injected into the nasal cavity are selected by the doctor individually, depending on the severity of the clinical case. These are antiseptics, antibiotics, antihistamines.

The procedure lasts up to 10 minutes, the price of “Cuckoo” nasal lavage varies depending on the clinic in which the manipulation will be performed. How is lavage done? The doctor inserts a catheter into one of the patient’s nostrils, the second nostril is used to install a vacuum pump. The solution is poured into the sinuses with a constant equal pressure.

During exhalation, the patient must pronounce the word “ku-kush-ka” in syllables so that the medical solution does not flow into the throat. The pump is used to pump liquid, which, after washing the nose, carries purulent masses. Rinsing is carried out alternately on each nostril.

If a medical solution enters the throat, it must be spit so that it does not enter the gastrointestinal tract. The procedure for washing the sinuses is not a very pleasant manipulation, but it does not cause pain to the patient.

The treatment course includes 5-10 washing procedures, depending on the clinical case. If after several sessions the solution comes out clean from the sinuses, without purulent contents, the doctor may cancel further procedures.