Osteoplastic flap for obliteration of the frontal sinus: Five years' experience

The objective of this retrospective study wens to evaluate the osteoplastic flap (OPF) for the obliteration of the frontal sinus in this current era o f endoscopic management of frontal sinus disease. A review of consecutive O PF procedures (n = 43) performed by the senior author (J.A.D.) from 1992 to 1997 was carried out. Data were gathered regarding chief symptom, medical history, previous sinus surgery, endoscopic findings in the office and at s urgery, CT scan findings, and follow-up results (mean 19.4 months). Previou s endoscopic management of frontal sinus disease had failed in 24% of patie nts; 97% had eventual resolution of frontal sinusitis with OPF. After OPF, 63% also had improvement or resolution of disease in other paranasal sinuse s. Statistically significant, positive correlations (P < 0.05) were noted b etween the resolution of frontal sinusitis and improved or resolved pain, a s well as the resolution of frontal sinusitis and improved or resolved infe ctions in other paranasal sinuses. In 1998 OPF remains the standard for tre ating frontal sinus disease refractory to other methods. OPF can decrease t he pain associated with frontal sinus infections and has a positive impact on inflammatory disease in other paranasal sinuses.