Microscopic endonasal surgery of nasal and paranasal cavities

Objective

To present the experience of our department on microscopic surgery of the nose and sinuses and compare our results with those of other standard approaches. Furthermore we attempt to specify the main indications for the use of the method.

Methods

During the period between January 1990 and December 2002, the prementioned technique was performed in a total of 250 patients. The preoperative evaluation, surgical technique and postoperative management of all patients are described in detail.

Results

Most common diagnoses included nasal polyps and chronic rhinosinusitis. The average age of patients was 42 years. Males accounted for 48%. No major postoperative complications were noted. Minor complications such as epistaxis and midfacial pain were observed in 24% of cases. While the majority of patients reported severe symptomatology preoperatively, 91% reported substantial improvement of their clinical condition within 3 months after surgery.

Conclusion

Microscopic surgery is a technique which can be used alternatively to traditional procedures. It provides an excellent, clear, stereoscopic vision and allows the surgeon to work bimanually. Complications are rare and easily controlled. Our experience favors the use of microscopic technique compared to common endoscopic approaches, especially in cases of nasal polyps and chronic rhinosinusitis.     

Complications after endonasal surgery of the paranasal sinuses for inflammatory diseases

BACKGROUND: There are sufficient reports on the incidence of complications after endonasal surgery of the paranasal sinuses. It is the aim of this study to calculate the incidence of typical complications after primary and revision surgery, after "functional" and "extended" operations, together with the influence of expertise and of different optical devices on the complications rate. Preoperative computer tomography of the paranasal sinuses are the golden standard. There exists a historical interest to compare the complication rate in patients operated without and those with a CT, especially in those countries where the availability of CTs is low or not existent. METHODS: 266 consecutive patients who underwent an endonasal surgery of the paranasal sinuses from January 1989 to December 1990 were revised to study the incidence and relative risk rate of typical complications after primary and revision surgery, after "functional" or "extended" surgery, the rate for more experienced or less experienced surgeons, as well as the differences between endoscopic or microscopic surgery. The study also compares the complication rate of patients operated on with and without a preoperative computed tomography. RESULTS: 207 out of 263 patients (78.7 %) had no complication. 58 minor and three severe complication were registered for 56 patients. 6 patients had two or more minor complications. No surgeon showed a higher complication rate compared to others (p = 0.33), and there was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.279) in the complication rate between experienced and less experienced surgeons. Endoscopic or microscopic surgery showed no statistically significant differences (p = 0.117) and extended sinus surgery displayed more complications compared to minor surgery (p = 0.041), as well as primary surgery compared to revision surgery (p = 0.003). No statistically significant differences could be found for surgeries performed with or without computed tomography (p = 0.097). CONCLUSIONS: A higher complication rate is to be expected for primary surgery and after extended sinus surgery, especially when an infundibulotomy was performed. In our series no learning curve was observed, especially as the variable "experience" showed no statistically significant difference. Endonasal surgery without CAT scan is not recommended, however, no higher complication rate was found in surgery without CAT scan.     

Experience with endonasal endoscopic surgery of inverted papilloma of the nose and paranasal sinuses

BACKGROUND: The inverted papilloma of the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses is a benign but locally aggressive neoplasm with a high recurrence rate and an unknown risk of malign transformation. This unsteadiness of biological behaviour requires a permanent control of the outcome of the available surgical treatments to ensure the utmost reliability for the patients. METHODS: In our investigation we analysed the surgical results in 54 patients with inverted papilloma of the last 30 years with an average followup of 55 months. 25 of them were endoscopically treated. The other group of 29 patients was treated by traditional surgical techniques using an extra-nasal approach. RESULTS: Using the endonasal-endoscopic technique we observed a recurrence rate of 48% whereas the other group treated by an extra-nasal approach reached a recurrence rate of only 24% and did not show any multiple recurrences. A malign transformation was found in two patients (< 5%) within the first 8 months after the first resection. CONCLUSION: In consequence patients with inverted papilloma have to be informed of the different surgical techniques and their recurrence rates. Especially an endonasal-endoscopic treatment of the maxillary sinus has to be carefully considered.     

Complications of endonasal surgery of the paranasal sinuses. Special anatomy, pathomechanisms, surgical management

Statistics show that there is no significant increase in complications in endonasal sinus surgery of the ethmoid or sphenoid as compared to paranasal or transantral procedures. Exact anatomical knowledge of the nasal cavity, the paranasal sinuses and related structures is essential for assessment and management in iatrogenic complications, which are divided in three groups, according to characteristic topographic implications: orbito-ocular, vascular, encephalomeningeal. Orbito-ocular complications are managed by decompression of the orbit using the paranasal approach. Direct lesions of the optic nerve in ethmoid- or sphenoid-sinus surgery are extremely rare and are due to an abnormal nervous course. Vascular complications in the branches of the external carotid artery require local procedures (e.g. transantral ligature of the sphenopalatine artery). In some cases an intra-arterial embolization using supra-selective angiography is more effective. Massive bleeding from lesions of the internal carotid artery is stopped by placement of a balloon catheter combined with a transfemoral intra-arterial digital subtraction technique. Iatrogenic dura defects in the frontal skull base can be managed easily once the lesion has been exactly and clearly localized. Adequate control of the frontobase including the orbit, optic nerve and related vascular and nervous structures is achieved by the extracranial subfrontal paranasal (Killian incision) approach, if endoscopic or endonasal microscopic repair is ineffective.     

The value of high-resolution CT-scan for diagnosis of infectious paranasal sinuses disease and endonasal surgery.

Since 1986 the high resolution CT in two planes is part of our preoperative diagnostic program for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis, acute, complicated rhinosinusitis and polyposis nasi. The importance of the CT for diagnosis, localization, and planning the operation shall be demonstrated.     

Endoscopic, endonasal removal of inverted papillomas of the nose and paranasal sinuses

Fifty-one patients with inverted papillomas of the nose and paranasal sinuses underwent surgery, 35 by an intranasal endoscopic method and 16 by an extranasal approach. The recurrence rate after endoscopy surgery was 17% (6/35), compared with 19% (3/16) after an external approach. Endoscopic surgery proved to be successful even in large lesions affecting the posterior ethmoid, the sphenoid sinus, or the nasofrontal duct. Therefore, its use does not need to be restricted to limited lesions of the anterior nasal cavity. After intranasal surgery patients with inverted papillomas have a better chance of retaining the bony framework with recovery of the respiratory and olfactory function.     

Anesthesiologic viewpoints of endonasal paranasal sinus surgery

There must be close cooperation between the surgeon and the anaesthetist during surgery of the paranasal sinuses. The surgeon needs a bloodless field which the anaesthetist can achieve by lowering the patient's arterial blood pressure using controlled hypotension. Controlled hypotension carries considerable risks, and only selected cases should be treated with this method. There are two hypotensive drugs of choice: sodium nitroprusside and nitroglycerin. If the circulation and ventilation are monitored sufficiently, the surgeon can expect good results with diminished blood loss.     

Evaluation of an anatomic model of the paranasal sinuses for endonasal surgical training

OBJECTIVES: To assess the suitability of a new anatomic model of the paranasal sinuses for endonasal surgical training. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational pilot study. METHODS: A new anatomic model of the paranasal sinuses was developed by the Department of Anatomy at the University of Zurich. The practicability of the model was evaluated by three experienced endoscopic sinus surgeons with a special focus on its possible use in training. Standardized surgical procedures were performed under simulated real-life conditions in the operating theatre. RESULTS: The endoscopic appearance of the nasal airway closely resembled real human tissue and the detailed anatomy of the model allowed the same structured surgical steps to be performed as in real life in the absence of bleeding. CONCLUSION: This anatomic model is a readily available teaching tool for endoscopic sinus surgeons.     

Endoscopic endonasal surgery for paranasal sinus mucoceles

Paranasal sinus mucoceles are benign, space-occupying, cystic lesions that require a surgical treatment. An endoscopic endonasal marsupialisation is nowadays the surgical approach of choice in most of the cases. The aim of the present study is to validate this option and to determine the clinical characteristics of paranasal sinus mucoceles. A retrospective study based on the clinical experience of several ENT surgeons was performed using a standardised questionnaire. The respondents participate to a report on endoscopic endonasal surgery for non-inflammatory disease in Belgium. One hundred and fourty patients presenting 178 mucoceles were included in this study. Primitive mucoceles were reported in 35% of the patients, posttraumatic mucoceles in 2.1% and postoperative mucoceles in 62.9%. The time interval between first rhinologic procedure and the mucocele diagnosis was respectively 24.4 months after FESS and 108.3 months after an external procedure. Paranasal sinus mucoceles predominantly occur in the fronto-ethmoidal region (64%), followed by the maxillary sinus (18.6%), the sphenoid sinus (8.4%) and the posterior ethmoid sinus (6.7%). Uncommon locations were also reported in 2.3% (Inferior turbinate, middle turbinate, pterygomaxillary space). Endoscopic endonasal marsupialisation (combined with an external procedure for 8 patients) was successful in 97.9% of the patients. Only 3 patients showed recurrence. Endoscopic endonasal marsupialisation of paranasal sinus mucoceles is a reliable therapeutic option with favorable results and is supported by the questioned ENT surgeons in Belgium.     

Navigation surgery in diseases of the paranasal sinuses

BACKGROUND: Since the mid-80s, endonasal sinus surgery has gained significant importance in the treatment of chronic inflammatory sinus disease. Many surgeons have recognized the necessity of developing new methods to increase the safety of this type of surgery. One of the advancements in increasing the safety of endonasal sinus surgery was the development of computer-aided surgical navigation (CAS) systems. METHODS: Since 1996, we have tried several different CAS systems for difficult surgical procedures in sinus and anterior skull base surgery, mainly revision surgery for chronic inflammatory sinusitis and endonasal tumors. During this time, we tried one electromagnetic ("Insta Trak") and two optoelectric systems ("Surgigate" and "Vector Vision"). RESULTS: In our experience, all systems can be used in endonasal sinus surgery; accuracy was satisfactory and varied between 0.1 and 0.5 mm. There were differences with respect to the time of preparation of the system for surgery as well as to the possibility to use different instruments. CONCLUSIONS: Computer-assisted surgical navigation systems today have gained a degree of accuracy which makes them not only suitable but almost necessary, at least for difficult surgical procedures at the anterior skull base, i.e. revision surgery in chronic inflammatory sinus disease. On the long run, these systems will become mandatory for these kinds of procedures. On the other hand, CAS systems cannot substitute thorough anatomical and surgical training.     

Computer-aided surgery of the paranasal sinuses and the anterior skull base

Endoscopic or microscopic surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyps is a routine intervention in daily practice. It is often a delicate and difficult minimally invasive intervention in a narrow space, with a tunnel view of 4 mm in the case of endoscopy and frequent bleeding in chronically inflamed tissue. Therefore, orientation in such a "labyrinth" is often difficult. In the case of polyp recurrence or tumors, the normal anatomical landmarks are often missing, which renders orientation even more difficult. In such cases, computer-aided navigation together with images such as those from computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging can support the surgeon to make the operation more accurate and, in some cases, faster. Computer-aided surgery also has great potential for education.     

鼻内窥镜手术治疗非侵袭性鼻窦真菌病

目的 :探讨鼻内窥镜手术代替传统柯 陆手术治疗非侵袭性鼻窦真菌病的疗效。方法 :采用Storz30°鼻内窥镜行病侧钩突切除 ,扩大上颌窦开口 ,行下鼻道开窗 ,双进路清除病灶。术后用 1%H2 O2 及生理盐水冲洗 ,不用抗真菌药。结果 :2 9例随访 6个月～ 3年 ,原有症状消失 ,未见复发。结论 :采用鼻内窥镜手术治疗非侵袭性鼻窦真菌病 ,较之柯 陆手术创伤小、照明好、清除病灶准确 ;不损害鼻腔正常生理功能 ;保证鼻窦通气引流 ,减少复发 ,治愈率高     

Image-guided transnasal endoscopic surgery of the paranasal sinuses and anterior skull base

Image-guided surgery represents a new technology with applicability to patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery for medically refractory rhinosinusitis. It also shows promise in helping to safely expand minimally invasive transnasal endoscopic techniques for nonrhinosinusitis diagnoses of the paranasal sinuses, orbits, and anterior skull base. This report discusses the application of the InstaTrak, a commercially available image-guided surgical navigation system, in 109 consecutive operations. The device was useful for localization to within less than 3 mm in 106 (98%) cases. In the remaining three (2%) surgeries where the perceived accuracy was not within 3 mm, the device was not used. The acquisition of radiographic data, operating room set-up, intraoperative localization and complications, and indications for surgical navigation will be discussed.