Minimal follow-up after functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Does it affect outcome?
One disadvantage of functional endoscopic sinus surgery is the frequent post-operative cavity toilet considered necessary by most surgeons, which is not only costly but also very unwelcome to patients. In the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, we have reviewed a series of 120 patients who underwent FESS over an 18-month period with minimal post-operative follow-up (first visit for cavity toilet at 2 weeks and, if possible, only one further visit) in order to assess outcome. The percentage of patients whose presenting symptom had significantly improved or was cured was 78%, and the mean number of follow-up visits was 2.8. We conclude that our policy of minimal post-operative follow-up following FESS allows results comparable with other series, and this policy should be further evaluated.
Ryan
R M
RM
Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, United Kingdom.
Whittet
H B
HB
Norval
C
C
Marks
N J
NJ
D004724:Endoscopy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000601:surgery*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome