Feasibility of balloon dilatation in endoscopic sinus surgery simulator.
OBJECTIVE
Assess the feasibility of the use of a life-size model for ESS to perform balloon catheter dilatation of the paranasal sinus ostia.


METHODS
Four validated sinus models were enrolled in this study. One experienced endoscopic surgeon performed all the dilatations of the paranasal sinus ostia. We used the Relieva Sinus Balloon Catheter System (Acclarent, Inc, Menlo Park, CA), and its described technique for fluoroscopic guided sinuplasty.


RESULTS
Twenty-four ostia were available. All sinuses were successfully catheterized and dilated. The total fluoroscopic time was 18 minutes and 8 seconds (mean, 45.3 seconds per sinus) and the total procedure time was 50 minutes and 56 seconds (mean, 2 minutes and 7 seconds per sinus).


CONCLUSIONS
It was feasible to perform a successful dilatation of the 24 available sinus ostia of the models: 8 maxillary, frontal and sphenoid. No major technical difficulties were encountered.


CONCLUSIONS
This model could help surgeons in the training of sinus ostia balloon dilatation.
Stamm
Aldo
A
Sao Paulo ENT Center, Hospital Professor Edmundo Vasconcelos, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Nogueira
Joao Flavio
JF
Lyra
Macos
M
D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods; D004724:Endoscopy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008953:Models, Anatomic