Complications in endoscopic sinus surgery.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to James A Duncavage.
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PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Since the first description of nitric oxide in the exhaled breath of humans by Gustafsson et al., there has been enormous interest in the study of nitric oxide and its role in the nose and paranasal sinuses. The aim of this review is to present the current knowledge about nasal NO: its physiology, novel methods of detection and measurement, and implications in sinonasal disease, focusing on the recent data from the literature. RECENT FINDINGS: Nitric oxide production is known to be produced in the nose at the apical tip of the ciliated respiratory mucosa. A new study has localized nitric oxide production in the pericytes and osteocytes of nasal turbinates. Studies have also discovered the efficacy of offline measurement techniques showing high correlation between standard online measurements with offline techniques. In an interesting study examining the influence of maxillary ostium size and nasal nitric oxide levels, decreased nitric oxide levels found with larger size ostia may eventually influence our approach to sinus surgery. SUMMARY: Nasal nitric oxide has been an ever-increasing topic of interest to both the allergist and the head and neck surgeon. The recent advances in the study of nasal nitric oxide as it relates to sinonasal disease and nasal physiology are discussed and important new findings are highlighted.
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The Caldwell-Luc operation for treatment of medically refractory chronic maxillary sinusitis has largely been replaced by functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Despite this change, the Caldwell-Luc procedure still has well documented indications including treatment of both failed endoscopic middle meatus antrostomy and irreversible mucosal changes. The purpose of the study was to review the authors' experience and results of Caldwell-Luc procedure after failed endoscopic middle meatus antrostomy in patients clinically deemed to have irreversible mucosal changes. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of preoperative and postoperative results of patients who underwent Caldwell-Luc procedure for refractory chronic maxillary sinusitis after failed endoscopic middle meatus antrostomy. METHODS: The preoperative and postoperative clinical course of patients treated with Caldwell-Luc procedure performed by a single surgeon between 1996 and 2001 were reviewed. Only patients with a history of chronic sinusitis after failed maximal medical therapy, no prior Caldwell-Luc procedure, prior endoscopic middle meatus antrostomy, and at least 6 months of follow-up were included. Outcome measurements including documented endoscopic examinations and the need for repeat surgery, and postoperative computed tomography scan results were evaluated to assess treatment success. RESULTS: The study involved 11 men and 26 women who underwent 50 Caldwell-Luc procedures. Caldwell-Luc procedure was performed bilaterally in 13 patients. The average number of prior endoscopic middle meatus antrostomies before Caldwell-Luc procedure was 2. Of all patients, 92% responded to surgical treatment as demonstrated by an endoscopic examination or computed tomography scan revealing a disease-free maxillary sinus. Repeat Caldwell-Luc procedure was required in 8.0% (n = 3) because of continued sinusitis. Two of the three cases with repeat Caldwell-Luc procedures demonstrated clinical improvement during follow-up. Average follow-up was 23.5 months. CONCLUSION: Caldwell-Luc procedure seems to be highly effective in the management of medically refractory chronic sinusitis after failed endoscopic middle meatus antrostomy. Caldwell-Luc procedure should remain in the otolaryngologist's surgical repertoire for these selected cases.
The Caldwell-Luc operation was first described in the late 19th century as a technique to remove infection and diseased mucosa from the maxillary sinus via the canine fossa, while creating intranasal counterdrainage through the inferior meatus. This operation has been performed countless times over the past century, but it has come under increased scrutiny within the past 20 years. This criticism is multifactorial. Medical management of allergic and infectious sinus disease has continued to improve, and endoscopic sinus surgery techniques have proven to be safe and effective in the vast majority of patients requiring surgical management. Additionally, several retrospective studies have shown high complication rates with the operation. Recent studies have illustrated both the histologic benefit of complete removal of diseased mucosa, as well as better patient outcomes with minimal morbidity when a safer operative technique is used. Overall, the Caldwell-Luc procedure is safe and effective as described, and should remain in the repertoire of surgeons managing the maxillary sinus.