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Major complications and consent prior to endoscopic sinus surgery
H R Sharp1, L Crutchfield, J M Rowe-Jones
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Ethelbert Road, Canterbury, Kent, UK.
Clinical Otolaryngology and Allied Sciences
|April 12, 2001
Summary
Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is now widely used. A UK audit found a 0.69% complication rate, with significant variations in how surgeons obtain patient consent before the procedure.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Surgical Auditing
Background:
- The endonasal endoscopic approach for paranasal sinus surgery has gained widespread acceptance.
- This technique is no longer limited to highly specialized surgeons.
Purpose of the Study:
- To audit the practice of Consultant members of the British Association of Otolaryngologists-Head and Neck Surgeons (BAO-HNS).
- To assess patient consent and complication rates for endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS).
Main Methods:
- A confidential postal questionnaire was distributed to Consultant members of the BAO-HNS.
- Data collected focused on informed consent procedures and experienced complications.
Main Results:
- The overall complication rate for ESS was 0.69%.
- Major complications occurred at an incidence of 0.25%, and minor complications at 0.44%.
- Significant variations in informed consent practices were identified among practitioners.
Conclusions:
- Endoscopic sinus surgery is associated with a low overall complication rate.
- There is a need for standardized informed consent protocols in ESS.
- A template for preoperative patient discussion is proposed to address consent variability.