Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is the first modality for the surgical
treatment of chronic sinusitis. We evaluated the outcome of ESS based
on subjective and objective assessment. Subjective improvement was ach
ieved in 98% of 54 patients chosen consecutively in the present study.
The extent of disease revealed by computed tomographic (CT) scans was
significantly ameliorated to an 82% improvement rate by ESS. However,
no correlation of improvement rate between symptoms and CT scores was
obtained. Both quantitative olfaction and anterior rhinomanometry wer
e significantly improved following ESS. The present study provides obj
ective evidence for clinical efficacy of ESS in the treatment of chron
ic sinusitis.