Compared with Gelfilm, Merogel MM stents produced less synechia; Merogel retains its position in the MM longer than Gelfilm; and the incidence of postoperative MM synechia can be reduced when absorbable MM stents are used in conjunction with MIST.

We conclude that MIST significantly improves the outcome in patients with chronic sinusitis and should strongly be considered as the initial surgical option for such patients.

Misdiagnosing REAH or CORE hamartoma as either inverted papilloma or adenocarcinoma may lead to far more aggressive surgical intervention then is necessary.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we compared postoperative synechia rates and morbidity for different middle meatal (MM) stents after minimally invasive sinus techniques(MIST). STUDY DESIGN: In a prospective study, we included 100 patients with bilateral chronic sinusitis undergoing MIST at a tertiary care facility with a single surgeon. METHODS: For all patients, MeroGel stents were placed in the right MM, Gelfilm stents were placed in the left MM. Follow-up consisted of 3 postoperative visits between weeks 1 and 12 with endoscopic evaluation for synechia, granulation tissue, stent retention, nasal obstruction, headache, and infection. RESULTS: Synechia developed in 4 patients on the left and in none on the right ( P = 0.04). There were no significant side-specific differences regarding postoperative nasal congestion, headache, or sinusitis. Mean stent retention time was 7.9 days for MeroGel and 5.6 days for Gelfilm ( P = 0.0004). CONCLUSION: Compared with Gelfilm, Merogel MM stents produced less synechia; Merogel retains its position in the MM longer than Gelfilm; and the incidence of postoperative MM synechia can be reduced when absorbable MM stents are used in conjunction with MIST.

Several methods for the extraction of esophageal foreign bodies have been described. The most common approaches use either the flexible fiberoptic esophagoscope or the rigid esophagoscope. We report an unusual complication following the attempted extraction of a sharp esophageal foreign body with a flexible esophagoscope, review the indications for these 2 methods of extraction, and discuss the potential morbidity and mortality of these 2 approaches.