[Endonasal microsurgery of the ethmoid sinus with reduction of blood pressure on a patient in a half sitting position (author's transl)].

Endonasal ethmoid surgery necessitates similar preconditions as stapes surgery (dry operative field, operation microscope with parallel illumination, antibiotics, operative training on a cadaver). Today, by applying flunitrazepam (thorazine, nitroprussid) the patient can be operated on in amnesia with local anaesthesia and a blood pressure between 70-90 mm Hg. Comparing the historic development in ear and nose surgery we expect a similar spreading of endonasal sinus microsurgery as could be seen in stapes surgery. In more than 3,000 cases we have noticed no complication, apart from a passing blindness lasting less than 40 minutes.