Functional endoscopic sinus surgery in chronic sinusitis--a series of 237 consecutively operated patients.

From 1989 to 1999, 237 consecutive patients with chronic sinusitis and/or nasal polyposis entered a prospective study on the effect of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FES). Nasal stenosis associated with massive nasal polyposis was the most frequent problem found in 61% of the patients. The rest had long-lasting symptoms of chronic sinusitis. Duration of symptoms averaged 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 enlarged in 82% of the patients and the frontal recess opened in 51% of the cases. No serious complications were registered. Annoying bleeding was experienced in 21%, hampering the intended procedure. In three patients rhinoliquore 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 study, 45% of the patients were totally satisfied with the results and without symptoms, and 44% were definitely feeling better.