title: Outcome of computer-assisted surgery in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the complication rates and outcome of computer-assisted versus non-computer-assisted functional endoscopic sinus surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of 276 patients who had undergone sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis with (n = 108) or without (n = 168) computer assistance, from 1996 to 2004, to determine the incidence of complications and need for revision surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of complications was 6.5 per cent in the computer-assisted group and 6.0 per cent in the non-computer-assisted group (p = 1.00). In the computer-assisted group, 9.2 per cent needed revision surgery, compared with 10.7 per cent in the non-assisted group (p = 0.84).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although our study found no significant difference in complications or revision rates, computer-assisted surgery serves as an important orientation aid during functional endoscopic sinus surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Spital Oberengadin, Samedan, Switzerland.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caversaccio
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000601:surgery*; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000601:surgery*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult