[Endoscopic frontal sinus surgery through agger nasi cell approach].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the access to the frontal recess by identifying the agger nasi cell and uncinate process.

METHODS

Forty-seven patients (85 sides) who underwent endoscopic frontal sinus surgery in our department constituted the study population. Computed tomographic (CT) scans of the sinuses were obtained in coronal and axial views. The frontal ostium was identified by using agger nasi cell approach or identifying the uncinate process.

RESULTS

The frontal sinus ostium was identified in 100% of patients (85 sides). After an average follow-up of 9 months, 41 sides of 49 sides (84%) had endoscopically healed sinuses by using agger nasi cell approach. And 21 sides of 36 sides (81%) had endoscopically healed sinuses by identifying the uncinate process.

CONCLUSIONS

The agger nasi cell approach to the frontal recess gives an access and allows identification of the frontal ostium. In addition, it provides direct visualization with a 0 degree endoscope into the frontal recess.