title: Obliteration of the frontal sinus--state of the art and reflections on new materials.
abstract: Despite increasing advances in endonasal frontal sinus surgery, obliteration of the frontal sinus is necessary in some cases for definitive clearing frontal sinus pathology. Reviewing the literature and considering pathophysiological aspects, successful obliteration of the frontal sinus depends on the complete removal of the mucosa and a sufficient closure of the nasofrontal duct, but not on the material used for obliteration, if special considerations are taken into account and foreign materials are avoided. Complete removal of the mucosa has to include removal of the inner bony cortex of the frontal bone. Occlusion of the nasofrontal duct is achieved with a sufficiently fixed fibrous layer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head, Neck and Facial Plastic Surgery, Communication Disorders, Hospital Fulda, Germany.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Draf
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kahle
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kind
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005624:Frontal Bone / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005626:Frontal Sinus / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015522:Frontal Sinusitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010254:Paranasal Sinus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity