J. Jakobsen et F. Svendstrup, Functional endoscopic sinus surgery in chronic sinusitis - a series of 237consecutively operated patients, ACT OTO-LAR, 2000, pp. 158-161
From 1989 to 1999, 237 consecutive patients with chronic sinusitis and/or n
asal polyposis entered a prospective study on the effect of functional endo
scopic sinus surgery (FES). Nasal stenosis associated with massive nasal po
lyposis was the most frequent problem found in 61% of the patients. The res
t had long-lasting symptoms of chronic sinusitis. Duration of symptoms aver
aged 9.3 years. Most frequent symptoms preoperatively were: nasal stenosis,
chronic secretion, anosmia, Frontal pain, headache and maxillary pain. All
patients had the operation performed under general anaesthesia. 86% of the
patients have been operated bilaterally. In 72% the posterior ethmoid was
opened, and in 54% the sphenoid was opened. The maxillary ostium has been e
nlarged in 82% of the patients and the frontal recess opened in 51% of the
cases. No serious complications were registered. Annoying bleeding was expe
rienced in 21%, hampering the intended procedure. In three patients rhinoli
quore was observed. One case was treated during the procedure; the last two
patients were in no need of surgical treatment. At the 1-year follow-up st
udy, 45% of the patients were totally satisfied with the results and withou
t symptoms, and 44% were definitely feeling better.