Modified subtotal-Lothrop procedure for extended frontal sinus and anterior skull-base access: a case series

[History of frontal sinus surgery and current view of the problem. Part 1]

Surgical treatment of inflammatory diseases of the frontal sinus is one of the biggest challenges of modern otorhinolaryngology. Close proximity of the frontal sinus and frontal sinus drainage pathways to the skull base, the orbit and the anterior ethmoid artery, great limitations with its visualization and instrumentation, and high risk of the frontal recess scarring cause difficulties in either endoscopic or external approaches to the frontal sinus. At the same time endoscopic approach to the frontal sinus is considered as preferred method of frontal sinusitis surgical treatment by majority of peers nowadays. The introduction of extended approaches to the frontal sinus pathology treatment with frontal sinus floor and interfrontal sinus septum drill-out as well as superior septectomy with common drainage pathway formation gave an opportunity to greatly decrease a rate of indications for external frontal sinus procedures. In this paper historical backgrounds of endonasal approaches to frontal sinuses are presented, current controversies in proper selection of extent and methods of the frontal sinus surgery are analyzed and endoscopic as well as external approaches to frontal sinuses are summarized.

Validation of a rhinologic virtual surgical simulator for performing a Draf 3 endoscopic frontal sinusotomy

BACKGROUND

We recently introduced a patient-specific rhinologic virtual surgical environment (VSE) that has shown potential for surgical rehearsal of various skull base lesions. Our aim in this study was to validate the usefulness of the rhinology VSE in performing the Draf 3 procedure.

METHODS

An outside-in Draf 3 procedure was performed on 4 cadaver heads. Computed tomography (CT) scans were obtained before and after cadaver dissection (CD). Pre-dissection CT scans were used to construct a cadaver-specific VSE. A virtual Draf 3 dissection (VD) was performed using the same technique. Validation was conducted by comparing the final common frontal outflow tract. A subjective comparison of the post-dissection endoscopic findings (CD vs VD) and an objective measurement using the post-dissection CT scan for the CD and the reconstructed CT scan obtained from the data after the VD was performed.

RESULTS

Subjective overall resemblance of the 2 dissections (CD vs VD) assessed by the 4-point Likert scale (0-3) was 2.5 (median interquartile range [IQR], 0.25) for the 4 cadavers. The median difference for the anteroposterior dimension of the frontal neo-ostium (CD vs VD) assessed in the midsagittal view was 0.11 mm, whereas the median difference for the lateral dimension assessed in the coronal view was 2.71 mm. Thus, no statistical difference was observed.

CONCLUSION

VD showed nearly matching results with the actual cadaver dissection. With further validation, our rhinologic VSE may be used for presurgical planning and rehearsal before the actual Draf 3 procedure is performed in the operating room.

First results of frontal sinus obliteration with a synthetic, resorbable and osteoconductive bone graft of ß-tricalcium phosphate

BACKGROUND

Despite advances in endoscopic sinus surgery, frontal sinus obliteration is still indicated in some cases. Current options for obliteration include autologous and synthetic materials. The use of ß-tricalcium phosphate as a resorbable bone graft substitute is a good alternative for frontal sinus obliteration. This study aimed to report our experience with this material.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent frontal sinus obliteration at our clinic between 2008 and 2013 was performed. Demographic data, indications, previous surgery, and immediate and late complications were examined. Information on persisting symptoms and patient outcomes was collected using a telephone questionnaire in February 2016.

RESULTS

None of the patients underwent further surgery for frontal sinus disease. All of them reported a good cosmetic result and symptom improvement.

CONCLUSION

ß-tricalcium phosphate is a good, safe and cost-effective material for frontal sinus obliteration.

Evaluation and Decision Making in Frontal Sinus Surgery

Management of frontal sinusitis can be challenging for even the most experienced otolaryngologists. A thorough understanding of the anatomy and pathophysiology of the frontal sinus is essential to properly manage disease affecting the frontal sinus. Being able to distinguish acute viral from acute bacterial and acute from chronic sinusitis is crucial because these distinctions guide appropriate management. Nasal endoscopy can confirm diagnosis, and radiologic imaging, including computed tomography and MRI, is often a necessary adjunct that aids in determining appropriate therapeutic decisions. One must be aware of the many procedures used in the surgical treatment of frontal sinusitis.

Extended Endoscopic and Open Sinus Surgery for Refractory Chronic Rhinosinusitis

This review discusses extended endoscopic and open sinus surgery for refractory chronic rhinosinusitis. Extended maxillary sinus surgery including endoscopic maxillary mega-antrostomy, endoscopic modified medial maxillectomy, and inferior meatal antrostomy are described. Total/complete ethmoidectomy with mucosal stripping (nasalization) is discussed. Extended endoscopic sphenoid sinus procedures as well as their indications and potential risks are reviewed. Extended endoscopic frontal sinus procedures, such the modified Lothrop procedure, are described. Extended open sinus surgical procedures, such as the Caldwell-Luc approach, frontal sinus trephine procedure, external frontoethmoidectomy, frontal sinus osteoplastic flap with or without obliteration, and cranialization, are discussed.

Endoscopic endonasal orbital transposition to expand the frontal sinus approaches

BACKGROUND

The management of frontal sinus disease still remains a challenging issue for rhinologists. Although endoscopic frontal sinus surgery has significantly advanced over the past years, there are some conditions in which the external approaches are still necessary. Recently, the increasing experience in endoscopic sinus surgery together with important technologic advancements have allowed expansion of the indications for selected lesions localized more and more lateral into the frontal sinus.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe the endoscopic endonasal approach to the far lateral portion of the frontal sinus and to evaluate the outcomes of this technique.

METHODS

A retrospective evaluation was carried out with patients at a single institution, who, from 2004 to 2012, underwent an exclusive endoscopic transnasal approach to the far lateral portion of the frontal sinus at a single institution. The surgical technique included the Draf IIb procedure, a modified Lothrop procedure (Draf III), and endoscopic lateralization of the orbit, differently associated according to the needs of each case.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients were eligible for the present study. The lesions included were mucoceles in 9 cases, fibro-osseous lesions in 10 cases, and inverted papillomas in 5 cases. The overall follow-up ranged from 12 to 120 months (mean, 40.6 months). At the time of the last follow-up, no recurrence of disease was observed in the patients treated; in one case of osteoma, a small and stable in size (1 mm) persistent lesion was observed in an asymptomatic patient. One scheduled and one accidental cerebrospinal fluid leak with immediate skull base reconstruction occurred. No intraoperative or postoperative early or late orbital complication was observed in any case.

CONCLUSION

The endoscopic endonasal orbital transposition seems to facilitate the endoscopic management of selected far-lateral frontal sinus lesions. However, it is a demanding procedure that requires experience and skill to avoid intraoperative skull base and orbital complications.

Preventing and Managing Complications in Frontal Sinus Surgery

This review covers potential complications of frontal sinus surgical management and strategies for prevention of these complications. Accordingly, recent advances in frontal sinus surgical techniques are described, and the management of complications stemming both from these and traditional techniques are detailed.

Overview of Frontal Sinus Pathology and Management

The frontal sinus is the most complex of all paranasal sinuses. Given its proximity to the cranial vault and orbit, frontal sinus pathology can progress to involve these structures and lead to significant morbidity, or even mortality. Surgical management of the frontal sinus is technically challenging. Various open and endoscopic surgical techniques are available to the otolaryngologist. This article presents an overview of the major disease entities that affect the frontal sinus, with a special emphasis on treatment principles and surgical management.

Endoscopic Approaches to the Frontal Sinus: Modifications of the Existing Techniques and Proposed Classification

Frontal sinus surgery has long been technically challenging in terms of access and chronic disease management. Decades of experience and advances in technology have led to the widespread use of various surgical approaches to the frontal sinus. Modifications to these existing procedures have been described to minimize unnecessarily invasive approaches. The lack of a classification that incorporates the newly described modifications prompts the proposal of a new classification. Eloy I-III incorporates all the previously described approaches as well as 3 recently published, and 1 newly described, procedures.

Comprehensive review on endonasal endoscopic sinus surgery

Endonasal endoscopic sinus surgery is the standard procedure for surgery of most paranasal sinus diseases. Appropriate frame conditions provided, the respective procedures are safe and successful. These prerequisites encompass appropriate technical equipment, anatomical oriented surgical technique, proper patient selection, and individually adapted extent of surgery. The range of endonasal sinus operations has dramatically increased during the last 20 years and reaches from partial uncinectomy to pansinus surgery with extended surgery of the frontal (Draf type III), maxillary (grade 3-4, medial maxillectomy, prelacrimal approach) and sphenoid sinus. In addition there are operations outside and beyond the paranasal sinuses. The development of surgical technique is still constantly evolving. This article gives a comprehensive review on the most recent state of the art in endoscopic sinus surgery according to the literature with the following aspects: principles and fundamentals, surgical techniques, indications, outcome, postoperative care, nasal packing and stents, technical equipment.