Draf IIB with superior septectomy: finding the "middle ground"

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have demonstrated a high failure rate of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) with Draf IIa in patients with diffuse polyposis, asthma, and aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease. A high percentage of these patients progress to endoscopic modified Lothrop procedure (EMLP). We describe a modification of the Draf IIb with a superior septectomy (IIb+SS), which may provide similar therapeutic benefit as demonstrated by the distribution of sinus irrigations in the sinus cavity with ESS with IIb+SS vs ESS with EMLP.

METHODS

ESS with IIb+SS was performed on 6 cadaver heads. Fluorescein-dyed irrigations were performed on each head and penetration was recorded using video endoscopy. EMLP was subsequently performed on each head with repeat dye-irrigation and video endoscopy. The videos were reviewed by 4 blinded fellowship-trained rhinologists, and irrigant penetration of the maxillary, ethmoid, frontal, sphenoid sinuses, and olfactory cleft was graded 0 to 3 (3 implying complete staining).

RESULTS

The mean scores when comparing IIb+SS to EMLP were as follows: overall 1.99 vs 1.97 (p = 0.816), maxillary sinus 2.67 vs 2.38 (p = 0.128), ethmoid sinus 1.88 vs 1.98 (p = 0.536), sphenoid sinus 2.58 vs 2.50 (p = 0.467), frontal sinus 1.13 vs 1.38 (p = 0.073), and olfactory cleft 1.71 vs 1.63 (p = 0.529). There was no significant difference between subsites. Interrater reliability was good (Cronbach's alpha = 0.781).

CONCLUSION

Performing ESS with IIb+SS provides similar irrigation delivery benefits to ESS with EMLP, without the need for altering natural sinus outflow and creating circumferential scarring. Further studies evaluating its use in patients that are high risk for revision surgery are needed.

Size of septectomy does not affect distribution of nasal irrigation after endoscopic modified Lothrop procedure

BACKGROUND

The endoscopic modified Lothrop procedure (EMLP) is commonly performed in recalcitrant frontal sinusitis, in part to achieve better penetration of medicated irrigations postoperatively. Although EMLP requires a septectomy for exposure, it is unknown whether septectomy size affects delivery of irrigations. In this study we evaluated the role of septectomy in delivery of irrigations to the EMLP cavity.

METHODS

EMLP was performed on fresh human cadavers with sequentially increasing septectomy (minimal septectomy: drilling across septum to combine frontal sinuses; standard septectomy: 1.5 cm anterior to middle turbinate and inferiorly to the midlevel of the turbinate; large septectomy: extension to nasal floor). Irrigation with fluorescein-labeled water was performed with a 240-mL irrigation bottle in the vertex position and recorded with a 30° endoscope fixed in a 4-mm trephine in the paramedian EMLP cavity. Two blinded reviewers scored irrigation distribution recordings (0 = nasal cavity only; 1 = frontal recess; 2 = medial distribution; 3 = lateral distribution; 4 = entire sinus lavage). Distribution scores were assessed with Wilcoxon rank sum analysis.

RESULTS

Six specimens (mean age, 75.2 ± 2.4; 50% female) were assessed. Interobserver scores were highly concordant (Kendall's W = 0.86, p < 0.01), internally validating the experiment. Distribution scores did not vary significantly when comparing minimal septectomy with standard or large septectomy (Z = 0.55, p = 0.58, Z = 0.37, p = 0.71).

CONCLUSION

Increasing septectomy does not improve irrigation delivery in patients undergoing EMLP. These results suggest that a limited septectomy for access to the bilateral frontal sinuses is all that is required for effective drug delivery postoperatively. This strategy may reduce morbidity associated with larger septectomies.

Quantifying Lateral Frontal Sinus Access: The Upper Blepharoplasty Approach

OBJECTIVE

Despite advances in technology and instrumentation, access to the lateral frontal sinus remains a challenge for surgeons. We sought to quantify the reach and applicability of the upper blepharoplasty approach (UBA) to the frontal sinus.

METHODS

Twelve cadaveric specimens were obtained for anatomic research and frontal sinuses divided into 3 zones. Zone 1 was defined as medial to the supraorbital neurovascular bundle (SON). The remaining orbit was then bisected to define zone 2 (centrally) and zone 3 (laterally). Twenty-four UBAs were performed followed by 12 modified endoscopic Lothrop procedures (MELP). The ability to instrument each wall of the frontal sinus was recorded for the MELP, UBA, and combined approach.

RESULTS

The UBA provided excellent access to the lateral frontal sinus in zones 2 and 3 (89% and 100%). The MELP provided poorer access in zone 3 (67%) but improved access in zone 1 (83%-100%). Access for zone 1 through the UBA was limited. The combined approach yielded 100% access to each frontal sinus boundary.

CONCLUSION

The MELP in combination with the UBA/lateral trephination provides excellent access to each frontal sinus boundary. The UBA provides excellent access to the lateral frontal sinus but is limited medially by the SON.

Outcomes of modified endoscopic Lothrop in aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease with nasal polyposis

BACKGROUND

Patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) are often reported to be recalcitrant to standard medical and surgical intervention. Failure rates of standard endoscopic sinus surgery in these patients are reported to be as high as 90%. We review the outcomes for our cohort of AERD patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery and endoscopic modified Lothrop procedure (EMLP).

METHODS

Data was collected prospectively between January 2001 and December 2013. Information including demographics, asthma status, aspirin sensitivity, 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22), Lund-Mackay scores, and endoscopic ostium assessment were collected for up to 5 years. Minimum follow-up was 6 months.

RESULTS

A total of 31 AERD patients underwent complete sphenoethmoidectomy, maxillary antrostomy and EMLP during the study period with an average follow-up of 36 months. Polyp recurrence was seen in a total of 18 patients (58%). Seven patients required revision EMLP following initial surgery demonstrating a failure rate of 22.5%. AERD patients had a statistically significant increased risk of both nasal polyps recurrence and need for revision surgery. Revision EMLP was needed due to recurrence of nasal polyps in 6 cases and frontal ostium stenosis in a single case. Time to revision EMLP was similar between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Complete sphenoethmoidectomy, maxillary antrostomy, and EMLP is successful in a significant majority of patients with AERD and CRSwNP. It is well tolerated with a low complication rate and facilitates successful ongoing medical management of the condition in patients with AERD.

Management of Lateral Frontal Sinus Pathology in the Endoscopic Era

OBJECTIVES

Considerable advances in endoscopic technique and experience have allowed an increasing number of patients with complex frontal sinus disease to be treated with endoscopic surgery. The objective of the current study was to evaluate management strategies and outcomes regarding treatment of lateral frontal sinus disease.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective case series.

SETTING

Academic tertiary medical center.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Prospectively collected data concerning frontal sinus pathology located lateral to the plane of the lamina papyracea (lateral disease) were reviewed. Data were collected regarding demographics, etiology, surgical technique, revision rate, anatomic considerations, and clinical follow-up. Only patients with at least 24 weeks of clinical follow-up and pathology who required removal and dissection in this region were included in the study.

RESULTS

Over 5 years, 156 patients (mean age, 47.9 years; range, 14-84 years) with 183 lateral frontal sinus pathologies and an average clinical follow up of 76 weeks (range, 24-237 weeks) were evaluated. Endoscopic or open surgery was attempted in 84 patients (54%) prior to intervention at our institution. Primary pathologies included inflammatory/obstructive diseases (n = 119), skull base defects (n = 33), and tumors (n = 31). Initial interventions included endoscopic (Draf IIA, n = 76; Draf IIB, n = 52; Draf III, n = 23), extended (IIA + trephine, n = 1; III + trephine, n = 2; III + osteoplastic flap, n = 2), and open (osteoplastic flap, n = 3; Reidel, n = 1; cranialization, n = 1) procedures. Seven patients (4%) required a subsequent revision procedure.

CONCLUSION

The vast majority of lateral frontal sinus pathology was managed using endoscopic techniques with excellent outcomes and a low revision rate in the current study.