THE ROLE OF FUNCTIONAL ENDOSCOPIC SINUS SURGERY IN ASTHMATIC-PATIENTS

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of FESS (functional endoscopic sinus surgery) on sinus and asthma symptoms. Me thod: Seventy-nine patients with asthma and medically unresponsive sin usitis were evaluated. Maximal medical therapy was attempted to reliev e both sinus and asthma symptoms. The surgical procedures involved sta ndard FESS techniques. Fifty-six percent of patients had undergone a s inus procedure prior to the FESS. Nasal polyposis was noted in 73% of the group. The majority of patients had pansinusitis. Results: Eighty- six percent of patients stated that FESS improved their sinusitis. Nin e of 11 sinus symptoms recorded preoperatively diminished significantl y (p < .05) following surgery. Eighty percent of patients noted improv ement of their asthma following FESS. The factors associated with trea tment failure and the unique characteristics of this disease process w ere evaluated. Conclusions: FESS is a viable option in the treatment o f asthma when medical therapy fails.