A NEW OPTICAL TOOL FOR ENDONASAL SINUS SU RGERY

The development of modern endonasal sinus surgery is fundamentally bas ed on the introduction of optical instrumentation. Endoscopes and micr oscopes are commonly used in such surgery. We tested a new combination of a stereoscopic single-channel endoscope with an operating microsco pe (EN DO-OPMI) for endonasal sinus surgery. This combination of the e ndoscope and microscope are connected in a way that results in a self- carried stereo-endoscope. To date,the ENDO-OPMI has been evaluated in cadaver studies and 7 cases of endonasal sinus surgery for chronic sin usitis. The trial was used to evaluate the clinical use of the current system and its possibilities for future developments. The ENDO-OPMI w as demonstrated to be principally well-suited for endonasal sinus surg ery. However,the current technical shortcomings make further developme nts necessary. Once these are implemented, the system should be superi or to the use of an endoscope or microscope alone in endonasal surgery .