title: Gauze-assisted technique in endoscopic removal of fungus balls of the maxillary sinus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to establish and evaluate a newly developed gauze-assisted technique in complete removal of fungus balls of the maxillary sinus with usual instruments of endoscopic sinus surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen adults with fungus balls of the maxillary sinus were collected. A newly developed surgical technique that involves the replacement of the fungus balls with the gauze strip was applied. The number of course and duration of this procedure were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The fungal material was removed with less than two courses of this procedure in these patients. The duration of this procedure ranged from 2 to 5 minutes with an average of 4 minutes. Postoperatively, these patients had been followed for 16-50 months with an average of 29 months. Neither recurrence nor complication was noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With the excellent results, we strongly suggest this easy and timesaving technique in the management of such patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. tkchao83@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ting-Kuang
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.forename: Chia-Ming
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008271:Mycetoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D010254:Paranasal Sinus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*