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Microvascular Decompression: Salient Surgical Principles and Technical Nuances
Published on: July 5, 2011
Sphenoid marsupialization for chronic sphenoidal sinusitis
1Department of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, Center for Skull Base Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, USA.
Objectives:
To review experience with sphenoid marsupialization and describe the technique using new instrumentation.
Study Design:
Retrospective review of five cases of chronic sphenoid sinusitis that were resistant to standard medical and surgical methods, which were treated by sphenoid marsupialization.
Methods:
Charts were reviewed and patients were interviewed regarding postoperative resolution of symptoms.
Results:
Five cases of recalcitrant sphenoid sinusitis were reviewed. All patients had headache before surgery, and two had visual disturbance. In follow-up ranging from 1 to 87 months, all were free of symptoms related to the sphenoid sinus.
Conclusions:
Marsupialization is an effective method of exteriorizing a chronically infected sphenoid sinus. The use of functional endoscopic sinus surgery instruments and the TAC attachment of the Midas Rex drill make this surgery possible.

