ENDOSCOPIC SEPTAL SPUR RESECTION

A variety of surgical approaches exists for the management of nasal se ptal spurs in patients who undergo endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Tre atment of septal spurs in the past has been frequently addressed by se ptoplasty which can result in increased bleeding and length of surgica l procedure as well as mandate postoperative nasal packing. Individual ly each of these problems can jeopardize the success of endoscopic sin us surgery. An endoscopic approach, which targets the septal spur alon e, can minimize perioperative morbidity. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the effectiveness of endoscopic septal spur resection ( ESSR) for the management of significant septal spurs in 8 patients who underwent concurrent ESSR during ESS for chronic sinusitis. Surgical technique and postoperative results are discussed and suggest that ESS R is a valuable alternative to more traditional techniques.