Technical Considerations In Powered Instrumentation

A Preoperative Imaging Evaluation to Avoid Orbital Complications in Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery has become popular worldwide. However, serious complications have been reported with it. A preoperative imaging evaluation is thus essential to avoid complications. The authors compared 0.5 mm slice computed tomography (CT) images reconstructed from sinus CT data with conventional 2 mm slice CT images. The authors evaluated patients who underwent endoscopic surgery. Data regarding age, sex, history of craniofacial trauma, diagnosis, operative procedure, and CT findings of eligible patients were extracted from medical records and retrospectively reviewed. One hundred twelve patients underwent endoscopic surgery during the study period. Six patients (5.4%) had orbital blowout fractures, and half of them could only be identified by 0.5 mm slice CT images. The authors presented the usefulness of 0.5 mm slice CT images in the preoperative imaging evaluation of functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Surgeons should also recognize that a small number of patients have "stealth" (asymptomatic and unrecognized) blowout fractures.

Neuro-ophthalmic complications of endoscopic sinus surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review aims to provide an overview of powered endoscopic sinus surgery and raise awareness of the possible neuro-ophthalmic complications associated with the procedure.

RECENT FINDINGS

The neuro-ophthalmic complications of endoscopic sinus surgery can be categorized into five anatomic sites: eye, orbit, optic nerve, extraocular muscle, and lacrimal drainage system. Double vision may be caused by various ocular motility abnormalities. Visual loss may be the result of orbital hemorrhage or direct optic nerve trauma.

SUMMARY

A wide range of neuro-ophthalmic complications may occur during endoscopic sinus surgery. The use of powered cutting instruments has been a recent advance in endoscopic sinus surgery, but it has also been implicated in rapid, irreversible, and devasting complications. Multiple preoperative and intraoperative factors appear to be involved in the adverse events associated with endoscopic sinus surgery. Ophthalmologists may be asked to evaluate and manage ocular damage in patients who have undergone endoscopic sinus surgery, and in some cases emergent intervention may be required in an attempt to avoid permanent visual loss.

Clinical results of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy using a microdebrider

Purpose

The success rate of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy has been increasing with the development of better instruments and techniques. We conducted this study to evaluate the clinical results of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy using a Microdebrider, which has also been used for functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

Methods

We selected 76 patients (with a total of 84 affected eyes) who had been diagnosed with a nasolacrimal duct obstruction. These patients underwent an endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy using a Microdebrider, which removed both nasal mucosa and lacrimal sac mucosa and also trimmed the margins of the ostotomy site. We assessed patients' outcomes on an anatomical basis using a dye test and endoscopy, which were used to define the anatomical success. We also arbitrarily defined functional success as whether the subjective epiphora was absent. At a four to 18 month follow-up, we monitored the clinical course to examine any recurrent episodes

Results

The symptoms were alleviated in 72 eyes, with a primary success rate of 85.7%. On nasal endoscopy, a functional failure was seen in four eyes. In these four eyes, the orifice was narrowed by the presence of either granulation tissue or conjunctivochalasis. By contrast, surgical outcomes were the anatomical failure in eight eyes. In these eight eyes, the orifice was obstructed by the presence of granulation tissue as well as the adhesion of nasal mucosa.

Conclusions

Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy using a Microdebrider enabled us to make the large fistula while minimizing the damage of adjacent tissue. It might be the recommended surgery that reduces the complications and enhances the success rate.

Endoscopic surgery with powered instrumentation for isolated sphenoid sinus disease

OBJECTIVE

Isolated sphenoid sinus disease (ISSD) is a relatively uncommon disease. In this study, we investigate the diagnosis and pathology of ISSD and compare endoscopic treatment with powered instrumentation with conventional surgical instruments for ISSD.

METHODS

Ninety-six out of 2,263 patients who underwent endoscopic surgery were diagnosed with ISSD by nasal endoscopy and computed tomography scan. Ninety-six cases of confirmed ISSD were treated by endoscopic sphenoidotomy, of which 44 cases were operated using powered instrumentation and 52 using conventional instruments. All patients were followed up for a period ranging from 18 to 54 months (mean 26 months) and the surgical outcomes were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

The pathological findings of these patients included sphenoid sinusitis, fungal disease, sphenoid cyst, inverted papilloma, malignant tumor, sphenoid polyp, and foreign body. The most common initial symptom was headache, followed by visual changes and nasal symptoms. After endoscopic surgery, drainage of the sphenoid was accomplished in 87 of the 96 patients (91%). Of all patients, 9.4% (9/96) had recurrent incidence, 22% (21/96) sphenoid ostium synechia, and 51% (49/96) partial middle turbinectomy. Comparing the surgical outcomes between two operative approaches, recurrent incidence, sphenoid ostium synechia, and partial middle turbinectomy were significantly lower in the powered instrumentation group (2, 7, and 14%) than in the conventional instrument group (15, 35, and 83%;p < 0.05). No serious complication occurred in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

Powered instrumentation is more effective than conventional instruments in the treatment of ISSD and provides a minimally invasive surgical approach to the sphenoid sinus.

Multimodality Approach to Sinus and Nasal Disorders: Results of Treatment as Determined by a Patient Survey

Patients with sinus and nasal disorders whose symptoms persist despite primary care may benefit from a referral to a dedicated nose and sinus center where all treatment modalities are available. The essential principle of a multimodality approach is that medical therapy, allergy treatment, and surgery are all important and useful tools. While various medical and surgical treatments of sinus and nasal disorders have been well described in the literature, overall assessments of comprehensive treatment are uncommon. For more than 7 years, the office practice of the senior author (D.G.B.) has been dedicated to the treatment of sinus and nasal disorders. In an effort to assess the results of the multimodality approach to therapy delivered there, we mailed questionnaires to 1,800 patients who had been treated at this practice over a 3-year period. Responses from 222 of these patients revealed that patients required less medication following treatment with a multimodality approach and that they expressed a high degree of satisfaction with the comprehensive care they received. In addition, most patients with asthma experienced relief of their asthma symptoms following treatment for sinonasal disease. We conclude that a stepwise, multimodality, specialty-center approach to treatment is beneficial for patients with persistent sinonasal disorders.

Orbital complications of functional endoscopic sinus surgery: MR and CT findings

AIM

To describe the radiological findings of ophthalmic complications during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and correlate them with the clinical manifestations and mechanisms of injury.

METHODS

This was a retrospective review of the clinical and cross-sectional imaging findings of 9 patients with orbital complications during FESS.

RESULTS

The most common site of entry into the orbit during FESS was the lower medial orbital wall (7 of 9), followed by the inferior orbital wall, resulting in injury to the medial rectus (4 of 9) and, less frequently, the inferior rectus (2 of 9) or superior oblique muscles (1 of 9). Extensive scarring on imaging (3 of 9) was associated with global ocular motility dysfunction. In contrast, localized scarring (3 of 9) or extraocular muscle trauma (6 of 9) resulted in disturbance of eye movement in the direction of gaze from the injured site.

CONCLUSIONS

Orbital magnetic resonance and computed tomography findings correlate very well with the abnormal eye movements clinically observed, and can assist in clarifying the cause of injury and guide surgical corrective management of patients suffering orbital complications from FESS. Radiologists should be familiar with the recent developments in FESS instrumentation as well as with the most commonly injured structures within the orbit.

The Soft-Tissue Shaving Procedure for Deformity Management of Chronic Tophaceous Gout

Gout is a condition characterized by the deposition of monosodium urate crystals in the joints or soft tissue. A gouty tophus occasionally mimics an infectious or neoplastic process. However, the conventional enucleating procedure might cause complications. In severe cases, skin necrosis and tendon or joint exposure can occur after debridements. In this series, the soft-tissue shaver is used for deformity management of the chronic tophaceous patients and the results are encouraging. From November 2000 to August 2002, 17 patients with chronic tophaceous gout were treated by the shaver technique. Suction and irrigation were performed simultaneously while the shaver was operating, and chalky deposits of sodium urate could be removed efficiently. Skin necrosis was minimized by means of proper incision planning. Also, bedside debridements and wound wet dressing were helpful for improving the outcomes. The families and patients were satisfied with the results. In conclusion, severe chronic tophaceous gout can be a surgical challenge. The soft-tissue shaving technique can be useful for cosmetic debulking of large tophi in patients with advanced chronic tophaceous gouty arthritis.

Ophthalmic complications of endoscopic sinus surgery

The intimate anatomical relationship between the orbit and the paranasal sinuses places the orbit and its contents at risk of harm from primary pathologic processes of the sinuses. In the absence of ophthalmic signs or symptoms, ophthalmologists are not routinely involved in the management of patients with sinus disease. Occasionally, some patients may develop ophthalmic complaints after surgical intervention. The orbit, optic nerve, extraocular muscles, and lacrimal drainage system are susceptible to injury during endoscopic sinus surgery. The risk of injury is related to the skill of the sinus surgeon, history of previous surgery, extent and severity of disease, and anatomic variation. Furthermore, recent advances in endoscopic sinus surgery, in particular the use of powered cutting instruments, has resulted in a novel mechanism of injury to the ocular structures.

Powered instrumentation for rhinoplasty and septoplasty

Advances in surgical instrumentation are generally intended to allow the performance of a surgical maneuver more efficiently and accurately. Powered instrumentation may allow improved precision and ease in certain aspects of rhinoplasty and septoplasty. Through improved precision, tissue trauma can be minimized.