Timing of endoscopic sinus surgery in children: is there an impact on outcome?
OBJECTIVE
Endoscopic sinus surgery in children continues to be a controversial issue. Major factors in determining when to operate are the duration of the disease and duration of medical treatment.


METHODS
Prospective study of children referred to a tertiary center.


METHODS
Eighty-three patients underwent endoscopic sinus surgery for refractory chronic sinusitis. All patients were followed prospectively to evaluate their response to surgery for a mean follow-up period of at least 1 year. A chi2 analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed to determine statistical difference between duration of symptoms and outcome.


RESULTS
The overall success rate of endoscopic sinus surgery was 80%. Children who had surgery between 6 and 12 months of symptoms despite continued medical therapy had an 84% success rate, those who had surgery between 12 and 18 months had a 74% success rate, and those with more than 18 months of treatment for symptoms had an 81% success rate (P > .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Duration of the symptoms of chronic sinusitis in children of more than 6 months was not a predictor of success of endoscopic sinus surgery in these children. Although there seemed to be a trend toward having a more successful procedure in children who had surgery between 6 and 12 months of medical treatment versus those who had surgery after more than 12 months of medical treatment, this did not reach statistical significance. A prospective study with more patients may shed more light on this subject.
Ramadan
H H
HH
Department of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-9200, USA. HRamadan@HSC.wvu.edu
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000601:surgery*