Benefit from the minimally invasive sinus technique.
BACKGROUND
Sinus drainage is impeded by the transition spaces that the anterior paranasal sinuses drain into, not the ostia themselves. Addressing the transition spaces and leaving the ostia intact, using the minimally invasive sinus technique, should reverse chronic rhinosinusitis.


OBJECTIVE
To assess patient benefit following use of the minimally invasive sinus technique for chronic rhinosinusitis.


METHODS
One hundred and forty-three consecutive patients underwent the minimally invasive sinus technique for chronic rhinosinusitis. Symptoms (i.e. blocked nose, poor sense of smell, rhinorrhoea, post-nasal drip, facial pain and sneezing) were recorded using a visual analogue scale, pre-operatively and at six and 12 weeks post-operatively. Patients were also surveyed using the Glasgow benefit inventory, one and three years post-operatively.


RESULTS
We found a significant reduction in all nasal symptom scores at six and 12 weeks post-operatively, and increased total quality of life scores at one and three years post-operatively (25.2 and 14.8, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The patient benefits of treatment with the minimally invasive sinus technique compare with the published patient benefits for functional endoscopic sinus surgery.
Salama
N
N
Department of Otolaryngology, University Hospital Lewisham, London, UK. NYSALAMA@aol.com
Oakley
R J
RJ
Skilbeck
C J
CJ
Choudhury
N
N
Jacob
A
A
D002908:Chronic Disease; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome