title: Prevention and management of complications in sphenoidotomy.
abstract: Endoscopic sphenoidotomy is a common surgical procedure that often accompanies routine sinus surgery. Safe completion of a sphenoidotomy depends on a thorough understanding of the surrounding anatomy, reviewing preoperative imaging, and maintaining intraoperative orientation. Intraoperative complications include local hemorrhage, catastrophic hemorrhage caused by internal carotid injury, optic nerve injury, and CSF leak. Postoperative complications tend to be less severe and include postoperative stenosis and mucocele formation. Regarding surgery of the sphenoid sinuses, the best management of complications truly is prevention, making pre- and intraoperative vigilance vital to a successful outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Loyola University School of Medicine, 2160 South First Avenue, Maguire Building, Maywood, IL 60153, USA.
authors.forename: Carl W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Moeller
authors.forename: Kevin C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Welch
mesh_terms: D002559:Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D009078:Mucocele / Q000209:etiology; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D010254:Paranasal Sinus Diseases; D013101:Sphenoid Sinus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000517:prevention & control; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed