Functional endoscopic sinus surgery and allergy.

The principles of functional endoscopic surgery require adequate sinus ventilation and drainage to avoid chronic disease states. The techniques employed by Messerklinger, Stammberger, and Kennedy have been demonstrated to be safe and effective. Careful evaluation of patients preoperatively with a careful allergy history and at least screening allergy tests, either intradermal or radioallergosorbent, is essential. Once the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis is established, the onset of therapy should precede surgical intervention to aid in appropriate surgical patient selection and to obtain the maximal symptomatic and functional relief postoperatively.