Much ado about functional endoscopic sinus surgery

BACKGROUND: Reported success rates in endoscopic sinus surgery vary from 74 to 97%. However, the methods of evaluation and the functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) techniques are not standard in these series. In our practice, some patients failed to attend the 3-monthly follow up claiming all was well. With this experience, the aim of this study is to document a standard minimal technique with minimal follow up, which may be applicable to selected patients. METHODS: An open prospective clinical trial was conducted. A total of 102 selected patients were subjected to minimal FESS surgery and discharged after a 3-month follow up with instructions to return if problems re-ensued. RESULTS: In a telephone follow up ranging from 28 to 40 months postoperatively, 12 patients could not be traced. All of the other patients expressed satisfaction with the results. There were no patients who were dissatisfied with the outcome. However, two patients have persisted with postoperative check-up visits on their own accord. CONCLUSION: It is possible in selected patients to resort to minimal FESS surgery with expectation of a good clinical outcome. It is stressed that, 'rigid selection criteria' apply.