Two-Year follow-up after Limited Anterior Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)

Abstract

This paper describes clinical outcomes in patients who underwent FESS. The subjects included 64 patients with chronic sinusitis, ranging in age from 11 to 66 years. A total of 44 (68%) underwent bilateral FESS, 16 (25%) underwent unilateral FESS, and 4 (7%) had anterior-posterior removal of tissue. No major complications occurred and minor complications occurred in eight patients (12.3%). At 6 months follow-up. 86% of 57 patients were belter. 12% were unchanged, and one patient (1.7%) was worse. After 2 years, 80% of 31 patients available for follow-up were belter. The three main complaints of sinus disease in these patients were nasal airflow obstruction, chronic pain, and nasal discharge. Of these symptoms, nasal discharge was the most difficult to reverse. The results of this investigation suggest that limited surgery of the sinuses is efficacious. (Am J Rhinology 7: 95-99, 1993)

A comparative study of the ciliary area of the maxillary sinus mucosa and computed tomographic images

“…The removal of a narrowed or obstructed ostiomeatal complex that impedes the natural cleaning forces of cilia is the primary goal in functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) [1]. However, it is known that the population of cilia in the maxillary sinus mucosa can sometimes be reduced in CS [10].…”

Much Ado About Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

“…In our series, no patient reported worsening of their condition following surgery. Several other studies claim that some patients were worse off following surgery 18,35 . It may be possible at this stage to speculate that some patients are worse off by more aggressive surgery, which may interfere with nasosinus drainage.…”

“…17 Austin et al showed a statistically significant relation to an improved outcome in FESS with septoplasty. 18 They reported an incidence of 42% septal deviation in their series of 64 patients. Damm et al have reported septoplasty rates of 71% in their 279 cases with FESS.…”

“…Because relief of nasal obstruction as a quality of life measure is a goal of the surgery, septoplasty is a viable proposition 17 . Austin et al showed a statistically significant relation to an improved outcome in FESS with septoplasty 18 . They reported an incidence of 42% septal deviation in their series of 64 patients.…”

“…Several other studies claim that some patients were worse off following surgery. 18,35 It may be possible at this stage to speculate that some patients are worse off by more aggressive surgery, which may interfere with nasosinus drainage. Again, selection of cases may be a significant factor in this study.…”