鼻内镜术后病情迁延的细菌学分析

目的:探讨慢性鼻-鼻窦炎(CRS)鼻内镜术后迁延不愈者鼻腔分泌物的细菌学特征。方法:选取单纯鼻中隔偏曲患者20例(对照组),取其中鼻道分泌物;选取首次接受鼻内镜手术的CRS患者30例(手术组),术中取中鼻道分泌物;取FESS术后随访3个月以上未达治愈标准的患者20例(迁延组),在鼻内镜下取中鼻道分泌物,分别做细菌培养和药物敏感试验,3组结果进行比较分析。结果:对照组检出细菌13株,手术组检出15株,迁延组检出15株,其检出阳性率差异无统计学意义;迁延组G-菌检出率明显高于对照组和手术组;对常用抗生素耐药的菌株比例迁延组显著高于手术组。结论:需氧菌可存在于正常鼻腔内;CRS术后迁延不愈者,G-杆菌的感染和细菌的耐药性明显增加。因此,强调要合理应用抗生素,对术后迁延性鼻窦炎的抗生素治疗,应建立在细菌培养和药敏试验的基础上。     

成年人慢性鼻-鼻窦炎鼻内镜术后的细菌学研究

目的探讨成年人慢性鼻-鼻窦炎（chronicrhinosinusitis，CRS）患者鼻内镜手术（endoscopicsinussurgery，ESS）后的细菌分布和耐药性特征。方法实验组来自87例CRS患者ESS术中中鼻道、上颌窦、筛窦和术后1、3、6个月复诊时的术腔分泌物；对照组为30例鼻中隔偏曲（无鼻炎、鼻窦炎）患者的中鼻道分泌物。所取标本分别作细菌培养、药物敏感实验及B内酰胺酶菌株检测。结果464份标本共检出细菌645株26种，总细菌检出阳性率78．9％（366／464）。其中革兰阴性菌（Gramnegativebacteria，GNB）占51．2％（330／645）；革兰阳性菌（Grampostivebacteria，GPB）占48．8％（315／645）；73．6％（64／87）的患者为混合菌生长。需氧菌为主占95．3％（615／645），厌氧菌仅占4．7％（30／645）。CRS患者术后GNB检出阳性率较术前明显增加，以产气肠杆菌、铜绿假单胞菌和流感嗜血杆菌最为常见；术后1个月、3个月组厌氧菌检出阳性率为3．4％（3／87）和2、3％（2／87），较术前9．2％（8／87）明显降低，而迁移不愈组反而升高，占15．4％（2／13）。术后多重耐药（mutipledrugresistance，MDR）菌株检出阳性率较术前明显增加。迁移不愈组B内酰胺酶检出率为30．8％（4／13），其中以铜绿假单胞菌最为常见；而术前阳性检出率为19．5％（17／87），以金黄色葡萄球菌为主，两组间差异有统计学意义（X2=4．85，P〈0．05）。痊愈组与对照组间B内酰胺酶阳性率和菌种分布的差异无统计学意义。结论GNB是CRS患者术后不容忽视的重要条件致病菌或致非条件病菌，CRS术后迁延不愈与MDR-GNB的优势生长有一定的关系。术后痊愈患者鼻腔和鼻窦的细菌微生态逐步恢复平衡。     

慢性鼻-鼻窦炎手术前后鼻腔细菌学研究及药敏试验分析[论著]

目的　探讨慢性鼻-鼻窦炎（CRS）患者手术前后鼻腔细菌感染状况的变化及药敏试验分析。方法　实验组来自50例CRS患者术前中鼻道分泌物、鼻息肉组织和功能性内镜鼻窦手术术后1、3、6个月复诊时的中鼻道分泌物；对照组选取30例单纯鼻中隔偏曲或鼻出血患者的中鼻道分泌物。结果　对照组与实验组术前、术后1个月及术后3个月中鼻道分泌物细菌检出率分别为63.3%、92.0%、94.0%、90.0%，组间比较差异具有统计学意义。对照组与实验组术后6个月中鼻道分泌物细菌检出率分别为63.3%和68.0%，无统计学差异。实验组术后6个月与术前、术后1个月及术后3个月中鼻道分泌物细菌检出率分别为68.0%、92%、94.0%、90.0%，组间有统计学差异。慢性鼻-鼻窦炎不伴鼻息肉与慢性鼻-鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉患者术前中鼻道分泌物细菌检出率分别为92.9%和90.9%，无统计学差异。慢性鼻-鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉患者鼻息肉组织细菌检出率为13.6%（3/22）。各组间革兰阳性菌、革兰阴性菌、厌氧菌构成比差异均无统计学意义。需氧菌对环丙沙星、复方新诺明和三代头孢（头孢曲松）敏感率较高，药物敏感率分别为94.6%（229/242）、84.7%（205/242）和81.4%（197/242）；二代头孢（头孢呋辛）中等敏感，药物敏感率为74.0%（179/242），青霉素的敏感性低，药物敏感率为39.7%（96/242），厌氧菌（12株）最敏感的抗生素是万古霉素，其药物敏感率为91.7%（11/12）。结论　细菌感染是引起CRS的重要因素，亦可能是引发鼻息肉的病因之一。功能性内镜鼻窦手术术后鼻腔、窦口引流通畅，手术可以减少细菌的生长，使鼻腔内细菌谱恢复至正常。手术可以减少细菌的生长，使鼻腔内细菌谱恢复致正常。CRS是否伴有鼻息肉对细菌的生长及革兰阳性菌、革兰阴性菌、厌氧菌的分布无重要影响。     

探讨开放后组筛窦、蝶窦在鼻内镜手术治疗慢性鼻窦炎中的必要性

慢性鼻窦炎、鼻息肉病变往往涉及多个鼻窦，包括额窦、上颌窦、前组筛窦、后组筛窦及蝶窦。近10余年来，鼻内镜外科技术成为治疗慢性鼻窦炎和鼻息肉的重要手段。鼻内镜下纠正鼻腔、鼻窦的解剖异常，恢复和重建鼻腔、鼻窦良好通气和引流是治疗鼻窦炎、鼻息肉的主要目的。我们发现开放后组筛窦、蝶窦与否在鼻内镜手术中治疗鼻窦炎、鼻息肉有着相同的治愈率。     

合并细菌感染的真菌球型鼻窦炎菌群分析

目的　分析不同年龄段真菌球型鼻窦炎鼻腔鼻窦菌群差异及药敏结果,为真菌球型鼻窦炎在围手术期选用抗生素进行预防感染提供用药依据。方法　收集160例 真菌球型鼻窦炎病例,根据年龄分为青年组、中年组、老年组,行鼻内镜手术时采集中鼻道及术区脓性分泌物,做细菌培养和药敏试验。结果　青年组与中年组革兰阳性菌检出率无统计学差异,且致病菌均以革兰阳性菌为主;老年组患者革兰阴性菌检出率显著高于青年组和中年组,差异有统计学意义。结论　对不同年龄段真菌球型鼻窦炎患者用药时,应充分考虑患者的年龄及药敏分析结果,根据不同年龄段的菌群差异,区别用药。     

合并细菌感染的真菌球型鼻窦炎菌群分析CSCD

目的分析不同年龄段真菌球型鼻窦炎鼻腔鼻窦菌群差异及药敏结果,为真菌球型鼻窦炎在围手术期选用抗生素进行预防感染提供用药依据。方法收集160例真菌球型鼻窦炎病例,根据年龄分为青年组、中年组、老年组,行鼻内镜手术时采集中鼻道及术区脓性分泌物,做细菌培养和药敏试验。结果青年组与中年组革兰阳性菌检出率无统计学差异,且致病菌均以革兰阳性菌为主;老年组患者革兰阴性菌检出率显著高于青年组和中年组,差异有统计学意义。结论对不同年龄段真菌球型鼻窦炎患者用药时,应充分考虑患者的年龄及药敏分析结果,根据不同年龄段的菌群差异,区别用药。     

慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者症状学特点及内镜鼻窦手术后主要症状的转归

目的：探讨慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者的症状学特点及内镜鼻窦手术前后患者主观症状的变化。方法：采用视觉模拟量表对119例慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者（52例不伴鼻息肉和67例伴鼻息肉）的鼻塞、头昏（头痛）、面部疼痛（胀满感）、嗅觉障碍和鼻分泌物（后鼻漏）5个主要症状进行评分,比较内镜鼻窦手术前和手术后12个月评分的变化。结果：伴和不伴鼻息肉的慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者出现最多的症状均依次为鼻塞、鼻分泌物（后鼻漏）、头昏（头痛）、面部疼痛（胀满感）和嗅觉障碍。不伴鼻息肉的慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者较伴鼻息肉者鼻分泌物评分显著增高（P〈0．01）,但嗅觉障碍评分者显著降低（P〈0．01）。在最令人困扰的症状方面,不伴鼻息肉和伴鼻息肉的慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者分别是鼻分泌物（后鼻漏）和嗅觉障碍。术后伴鼻息肉和不伴鼻息肉的慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者各个症状出现的频率和评分均较术前显著降低（P〈0．01）。结论：伴鼻息肉和不伴鼻息肉的慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者症状学具有不同的特点,内镜鼻窦手术可以显著改善患者的主观症状,视觉模拟量表评估患者的主观症状是一简便、易于开展的慢性鼻-鼻窦炎疗效主观评估方法。     

鼻内镜手术治疗慢性鼻窦炎的疗效观察

目的：观察鼻内镜手术治疗慢性鼻窦炎的疗效，研究提高鼻内镜手术疗效的方法及手术中的要点。方法：468例慢性鼻窦炎患者，其中Ⅰ型106例，Ⅱ型228例，Ⅲ型134例，术前予以抗生素、激素、稀化粘素等，行鼻内镜下手术治疗。手术采用Messerklinger基本术式，摘除鼻息肉，切除钩突，开放筛窦后清理中组筛房至筛顶，然后清理前组筛房和眶上筛房，扩大上颌窦自然开口，根据病情、CT结果和术中所见扩大额窦和蝶窦口，同期治疗合并存在影响鼻腔通气引流的病变，术后定期随访观察，及时清理鼻腔痂皮、囊泡、小息肉及肉芽组织，合理规范用药，直至术腔完全上皮化。结果：治愈350例（74.79%），有效96例（20.51%），无效22例（4.7%），总有效率95.3%。主要并发症是术中出血、眶纸板损伤，术后鼻腔粘连、窦口粘连、闭塞等。结论：鼻内镜手术治疗慢性鼻窦炎具有创伤小、疗效好等传统鼻窦手术无法比拟的优点。充分的术前准备、熟练的手术技能、术中保持术野清晰、彻底清除病灶、正确处理中鼻甲、同期处理影响鼻腔通气的病变、规范的术后随访是防止手术并发症和提高疗效的关键。     

鼻部解剖变异与慢性鼻-鼻窦炎细菌感染的关系分析

目的:分析慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者的鼻部解剖变异及细菌感染情况,探讨鼻部解剖变异对上颌窦取样细菌感染的影响.方法:通过对115侧慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者术前行CT扫描,将之分成高解剖变异组(62侧)与低解剖变异组(53侧).在鼻内镜手术过程中,通过无菌方式取各组上颌窦脓性分泌物行细菌培养,比较2组间细菌感染率及细菌构成.结果:高、低解剖变异组细菌阳性率分别为90.32%和56.60%(P<0.01).在细菌构成上,高解剖变异组中G+球菌和G-杆菌构成比分别为47.76%和52.24%.与此相对应,低解剖变异组相关数据分别为62.16%和37.84%.结论:鼻部解剖变异能增加鼻窦细菌感染的概率,高解剖变异以G-杆菌感染为主,低解剖变异以G+球菌感染为主.     

鼻内镜下鼻窦病变和开口的处理

建立以筛窦为中心的各窦引流通畅,是慢性鼻窦炎鼻内镜下鼻窦开放术的首要内容。鼻窦口开放与否是鼻内镜手术疗效评定的重要依据之一。尽管鼻内镜术后的鼻窦口开放率与许多因素有关,但完善的手术操作仍是影响其开放的重要因素。1993年1月-2003年12月我院共收治鼻源性疾病1893例,所有患者均经鼻内镜检查和鼻窦冠状位CT扫描,其中经鼻内镜手术治疗后病理证实慢性鼻窦炎患者1581例,疗效较好,现报告如下。     

The microbiology of recurrent rhinosinusitis after endoscopic sinus surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the microbiology of recurrent sinus infections occurring in patients after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). DESIGN: Retrospective review of sinus cultures obtained over a 4-year period from a consecutive series of patients who underwent ESS. SETTING: An academic general otolaryngology practice. RESULTS: A total of 290 cultures were performed in 125 patients after ESS. The female-male ratio of cultures was 2.5:1 with an average patient age of 47.3 years. This group of patients represents 14.5% of 860 patients who underwent ESS during the same period. A total of 65 patients had 1 culture performed, and 60 patients had multiple cultures. Of the 290 culture specimens, 87 (30.0%) demonstrated no growth. Gram-positive cocci predominated, accounting for 37.9% of culture results. Gram-negative rods constituted 14.8% of the isolates. Of the cultures yielding gram-negative rods, 90.7% occurred in patients who had multiple cultures (P = .03). Fungal forms were cultured in 1.7% of the specimens. None of the Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates demonstrated penicillin-based resistance. The percentages of beta-lactamase-producing strains for Haemophilus influenzae and Branhamella (Moraxella) catarrhalis were 45.4% and 81.8%, respectively. Staphylococcal species also exhibited significant antibiotic resistance patterns, but no statistical association with multiple cultures was noted (P = .23). CONCLUSIONS: A wide range of bacteria may be present in the infected post-ESS sinus cavity, with a considerable population of gram-negative organisms, including Pseudomonas species. Beta-Lactamase-producing organisms continue to be prevalent in postoperative sinus infections. Culture and sensitivity analyses of pathologic secretions may identify drug-resistant organisms or organisms related to difficult-to-treat infections in exacerbations of chronic rhinosinusitis in the postoperative setting.     

Bacterial infection after endoscopic sinus surgery: a controlled prospective study

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to determine whether infections occurring after endoscopic sinus surgery represent overgrowth of sinonasal flora versus de novo bacterial infection. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective controlled cohort study. METHODS: A cohort of adult patients was prospectively followed after endoscopic sinus surgery. Baseline postoperative control cultures of the ethmoid sinus were obtained. Patients with acute infectious exacerbations of chronic rhinosinusitis had endoscopic culture, and these results were compared with baseline culture data. RESULTS: One hundred thirteen patients were followed for a mean period of 14.5 months after endoscopic sinus surgery. Baseline postoperative culture data revealed that the ethmoid labyrinth was sterile in 23% of cases, carried oral flora in 18% of cases, and was colonized in 60% of cases. Gram-positive cocci, particularly staphylococcal species, were the most common colonizing organisms (41% of cases). Twenty acute exacerbations were cultured in 17 patients during the follow-up period. All infectious cultures recovered bacteria; one culture recovered only oral flora. Gram-positive cocci predominated (56% of isolates) with Staphylococcus aureus being the most common isolate (28%). Of the 36 isolates, only 9 isolates (25%) corresponded to bacteria identified at the time of baseline culture. CONCLUSION: Although the postoperative sinonasal cavity may be colonized by bacteria after endoscopic sinus surgery, infections arising postoperatively most commonly represent de novo infections by bacteria other than colonizing bacteria. Empirical therapy based on baseline data may be misleading; acute exacerbations of chronic rhinosinusitis after endoscopic sinus surgery should be cultured to guide optimal antibiotic therapy.     

Bacteriology of postradiotherapy chronic rhinosinusitis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients and chronic rhinosinusitis

The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the bacteriology of postradiotherapy chronic rhinosinusitis (postRT-CRS) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) by evaluating the aspiration materials of the maxillary sinus of patients with postRT-CRS and patients with CRS. We collected the secretions of the maxillary sinus from 30 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with postRT-CRS and 30 patients with CRS for aerobe/facultative anaerobe bacteria culture. The most common isolates in the postRT-CRS group were Streptocuccus viridans, Staphylococcus aureus and Haemophilus influenzae, while those in the CRS group were Haemophilus influenzae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Isolated Gram-positive coccus rate in postRT-CRS patients was significantly higher than in CRS patients (62.50% compared with 30.00%, respectively; P < 0.05), and isolated Gram-negative bacilli rate in postRT-CRS patients was significantly lower than in CRS patients (31.25% compared with 70.00%, respectively; P < 0.05). However, the incidence of positive cultures was not significantly different between the postRT-CRS group and the CRS group (P > 0.05). This study found that there were some differences in bacteriology between postRT-CRS and CRS. Gram-positive coccus was the predominant aerobic/facultative anaerobe pathogenic bacterium in patients with postRT-CRS, and Gram-negative bacilli was predominant in CRS patients.     

Middle turbinate resection is unlikely to cause empty nose syndrome in first year postoperatively

PurposeEmpty nose syndrome (ENS) is characterized by nasal dryness, crusting, and paradoxical nasal obstruction most commonly after inferior turbinate resection. ENS has also been reported to occur after middle turbinate resection (MTR), and concern for causing ENS is a possible reason surgeons preserve the MT during endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). The objective was to determine whether MTR during ESS led to ENS.Materials and methodsThis was a prospective case series of 95 consecutive patients that underwent bilateral subtotal MTR during ESS with either Draf IIB or Draf III frontal sinusotomies, for chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyps, and frontal sinus inverted papillomas. Demographic data and postoperative Empty Nose Syndrome 6-item Questionnaire (ENS6Q) scores were obtained. Nasal crusting was also documented on last postoperative nasal endoscopy.ResultsPathologies included chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (69), without nasal polyps (12), and inverted papillomas (14). Fifty-six patients underwent subtotal MTRs during ESS with Draf IIB, and 39 with Draf III. Mean follow-up was 19.4 months (range 12–49). Mean postoperative ENS6Q score was 2.1. Only 2.1% had ENS6Q scores ≥ 11, and 6.3% had nasal crusting at last follow-up. None of the patients with ENS6Q scores ≥ 11 had nasal crusting at last follow-up. There were no significant differences in outcomes between ages, genders, surgery types, or pathologies.ConclusionsPatients who underwent bilateral subtotal MTR during ESS were unlikely to develop ENS by at least 1 year postoperatively, based on patients rarely experiencing ENS6Q scores ≥ 11 or persistent nasal crusting.     

Intracellular residency is frequently associated with recurrent Staphylococcus aureus rhinosinusitis

AIM: The prevalence of intracellular Staphylococcus aureus organisms in the nasal mucosa of patients with recurrent infectious rhinosinusitis episodes was studied. METHOD: Twenty-seven consecutive adult patients who failed medical management of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) of multiple origins, associated or not with nasal polyposis, were consecutively enrolled for endonasal sinus surgery (including partial middle turbinectomy, middle antrostomy, ethmoidectomy, sphenoidotomy) and followed for a 12-month post-operative period. RESULTS: Seventeen of these patients showed the presence of intracellular S. aureus as detected by confocal laser scan immunofluorescence microscopy in epithelial cells of surgical intranasal biopsy specimens. Nine of the patients with and two without intracellular bacteria yielded S. aureus in endoscopically guided cultures of middle meatus secretions, despite the recent administration of prophylactic antibiotics. Eleven of the 17 patients with intracellular S. aureus relapsed for rhinosinusitis within the 12-month follow-up period. Molecular typing of sequential S. aureus isolates demonstrated the persistence of unique patient-specific S. aureus clonotypes in nine of the patients with intracellular bacteria during the 12-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: The presence of intracellular S. aureus in epithelial cells of the nasal mucosa is a significant risk factor for recurrent episodes of rhinosinusitis due to persistent bacterial clonotypes, which appear refractory to antimicrobial and surgical therapy.     

Comparison of antral tap with endoscopically directed nasal culture

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The diagnosis of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis continues to generate controversy in critically ill patients. The efficacy of endoscopically directed cultures in these patients is unknown. We compared antral tap (AT) with endoscopic tissue culture (ETC) of the osteomeatal complex in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting. METHODS: Twenty patients admitted to a surgical/trauma ICU were evaluated by AT and ENB for the presence of rhinosinusitis. All patients had 1) a fever of unknown origin without resolution on empiric antibiotic therapy for > or =48 hrs; 2) other sources of fever ruled out; 3) computed tomography scan evidence of mucoperiosteal thickening +/- sinus air/fluid levels; and 4) attempt at conservative treatment with topical decongestants and removal of all nasal intubation. Microbiologic data were collected and analyzed for any statistical difference between groups. RESULTS: A total of 29 sides underwent simultaneous tap and endoscopically directed tissue culture. The mean age was 40 years (range, 23-77 y) with 85% being males. Fifteen of 20 (75%) patients in the AT group were culture-positive. Of the 49 isolates from the AT, 55% yielded Gram-negative bacilli (Acinetobacter sp. 37%) and 45% yielded Gram-positive cocci. The ETC group was culture-positive in 18 of 20 (90%) patients. Of the 52 isolates from the ETC, Gram-negative bacilli were found in 58% (Acinetobacter sp. 33%) and 42% yielded Gram-positive cocci. The ETCs were culture-positive in all but 1 patient with positive taps. There appeared to be a concordance between AT and ETC in 60% of the patients. In five instances (25%), results of the AT or ETC changed ICU management. Two patients ultimately required sinus surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Sinus taps and/or endoscopically directed tissue cultures led to a change in ICU care in 25% of ICU patients studied. In patients with fever of unknown origin and computed tomography evidence of sinusitis, an antral tap continues to provide important information concerning maxillary sinusitis. However, ETC may give as good a representation of the microbiology and secondary inflammatory changes responsible for bacterial ICU rhinosinusitis causing fever of unknown origin. Further study on a larger group of patients is needed.     

The cytology and microbiology of persistent paranasal sinus secretions after endoscopic sinus surgery: a controlled study

OBJECTIVE: To determine the cellular composition and influence of microbiology on persistent paranasal sinus secretions after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). METHODS: Persistent sinus secretions from a consecutive series of patients after ESS were studied with cytopathology and cultures for aerobic, anaerobic, and fungal organisms. A control group consisting of patients without persistent secretions after ESS was also studied. Epithelial, neutrophil, and eosinophil cell presence was semiquantitatively assessed on a 4-point scale and compared between control and diseased groups. Cellular composition was then stratified and analyzed according to the presence of microorganisms. RESULTS: A total of 50 diseased and 24 control patients were studied. Both diseased and control patients demonstrated sloughed epithelial cells in secretions (53.1% and 66.7%, respectively, P = .131). The diseased group exhibited significantly higher eosinophilic or eosinophilic/neutrophilic cellularity than the controls (P = .048). The average neutrophil infiltration score was 0.82 versus 0.54 for the controls (P = .104). For the diseased group, the mean eosinophil score was 1.56 versus 0.96 in the control group (P = .035). Pathogenic bacteria were identified in 64% of the diseased group patients versus 54.2% in controls (P = .454). Only two fungal cultures were positive (diseased group). Microbiological analysis indicated that in the absence of bacteria, diseased group patients mainly manifested an eosinophilic presence, whereas in the presence of bacteria, the neutrophil response was enhanced in diseased patients and eosinophil response was enhanced in controls. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent sinus secretions after ESS are primarily driven by an eosinophilic presence. Patients without inflammatory exudate after ESS respond to bacteria with increased eosinophilia, whereas hypersecretory patients demonstrate both increased neutrophil and eosinophil presence.     

Topical steroid drops for the treatment of sinus ostia stenosis in the postoperative period

BACKGROUND: Chronic oral steroid use causes significant morbidity, including osteoporosis, immunosuppression, and adrenal insufficiency. Refractory chronic rhinosinusitis patients often take repeated oral steroid courses to treat polypoid disease or sinus ostia stenosis. This study evaluated topical steroid drop efficacy in treating recurrent sinus ostia stenosis in the postoperative period. METHODS: The 5-year single institution experience with topical steroid drop use after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) was evaluated by retrospective review. Patients were included if they began topical dexamethasone ophthalmic, prednisolone ophthalmic, or ciprofloxacin/ dexamethasone otic intranasally (used off-label) within 3 months after ESS. Outcomes (i.e., ostia patency, oral steroid use, revision surgery, and complications) were assessed for a 6-month period after steroid drop initiation. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients met inclusion criteria. Forty-four surgeries were performed during the study period; 67 sides were treated postoperatively with topical steroid drops. In 86.6% of cases, steroid drops were used to treat frontal ostium stenosis or frontal recess edema; 93.2% of surgeries were revision procedures. Sixty-four percent of sinuses were treated successfully with topical steroid drops, 14.9% remained stable, and 20.9% failed. Reasons for failure included persistent/worsening edema, scarring, or noncompliance. Ten patients (27.8%) required oral steroids and 4 patients (6%) underwent revision surgery during the study period. One case of adrenal suppression occurred. CONCLUSION: Topical steroid drops are beneficial in preventing sinus ostia stenosis in the postoperative period and may decrease the propensity toward repeated oral steroid therapy. This is particularly noteworthy in this challenging cohort, largely composed of revision frontal sinus surgery patients.