title: Uncinatotomy: performing endoscopic sinus surgery without an uncinectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The results of endoscopic sinus surgery performed for chronic rhinosinusitis are controversial. For a better surgical outcome, different surgical techniques involving an uncinectomy as the primary step of the operation have been proposed. The surgery should resolve the pathophysiologic problems caused by the disease and preserve the normal anatomy and physiology. We developed a technique to remove the pathology localized to isolated maxillary and anterior ethmoid cells, without excising the uncinate process. The infundibular area was exposed with medialization of the uncinate with a bipedicle flap prepared 1.5 cm from the insertion of the uncinate to the nasal wall, and then the sinus pathology was removed. At the end of the surgery, the uncinate was returned to its original position.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed this new technique to 3 patients and evaluated postoperative results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Primary disease was eradicated, and no complication was noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With this technique, it is possible to perform all steps of sinus surgery without excising any anatomic structure.
authors.affiliation: From the *Balikesir University, Faculty of Medicine, Ear Nose Throat Clinic, Balikesir; †Mardin State Hospital, Ear Nose Throat Clinic, Mardin; ‡Adiyaman University, Faculty of Medicine, Ear Nose Throat Clinic, Balikesir; and §Bagcilar Medipol University, Faculty of Medicine, Ear Nose Throat Clinic, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Haşmet
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yazici
authors.forename: Fatih Kemal
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Soy
authors.forename: Erkan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kulduk
authors.forename: Sedat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Doğan
authors.forename: Riza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dündar
authors.forename: Ilknur Haberal
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Can
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004724:Endoscopy; D005004:Ethmoid Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D059747:Nasal Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000601:surgery*; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps