COMPLICATIONS OF ENDOSCOPIC SINUS SURGERY IN A RESIDENCY TRAINING-PROGRAM

Endoscopic sinus surgery has emerged in the last decade as the treatme nt of choice for chronic sinusitis. Reports of complications of the pr ocedure from different centers vary depending on the technique used an d the experience of the surgeon. Between August 1990 and August 1993, 337 patients underwent endoscopic sinus surgery at West Virginia Unive rsity, Most of the cases were performed by senior residents under facu lty supervision. Minor complications were encountered in 15.1% of the cases and major complications in 1.5% of the patients. The most common major complication was cerebrospinal fluid leak, All patients with ce rebrospinal fluid leaks were diagnosed and treated successfully at the time of surgery. Middle turbinate adhesions and orbital penetration w ere the most common minor complications. Routine partial middle turbin ectomy did not decrease the adhesion rate. Endoscopic sinus surgery is a relatively safe procedure, even when performed by residents under a dequate supervision.