Revision frontal sinusotomy using stepwise balloon dilation and powered instrumentation.
OBJECTIVE
To report a novel approach toward revision frontal sinusotomy using a technique of balloon dilation followed by the use of powered instrumentation.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
The frontal sinus outflow tract location was first confirmed with image guidance and then dilated with a balloon to address the soft tissue stenosis. Subsequently, the drill was introduced to accomplish a Draf 2B frontal sinusotomy.


RESULTS
An advantage of initial balloon dilation of the frontal sinus outflow tract was to quickly address the soft tissue stenosis with minimal tissue trauma and therefore less bleeding. This subsequently enabled insertion and clear visualization of the entire drill bit within the inferior aspect of the frontal outflow tract. The increased visualization makes other instrumentation safer as well, and avoids relatively blind removal of scar tissue that could result in inadvertent entry into the orbit or skull base.


CONCLUSIONS
We describe the utility of the balloon as a tool for revision frontal sinusotomy to efficiently and safely allow subsequent instrumentation of the frontal outflow tract with larger more aggressive instruments, such as the drill. We have found this to be a safe and effective technique provided proper preoperative patient selection and assessment for limiting factors.
Bhandarkar
Naveen D
ND
Division of Rhinology and Sinus Surgery/Oregon Sinus Center, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA.
Smith
Timothy L
TL
D002404:Catheterization; D004724:Endoscopy; D005626:Frontal Sinus / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D012086:Reoperation; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed