Frontal sinus stenting

Recurrence of frontal sinusitis following external and endoscopic intranasal drainage procedures has been and is presently a challenge to rhinologic surgeons. The complexity of the anatomy, especially with regard to size of the newly created frontal neo-ostium, directly influences long-term success. Frontal sinus stenting is indicated if the neo-ostium is less than 5 mm. Other important factors include excessive denuded bone, remnants of osteitic bone in the frontal recess, and severe mucosal disease as seen in allergic fungal sinusitis and nonallergic eosinophilic rhinitis. Lateralization of the middle turbinate and excessive removal of the middle turbinate have also been associated with recurrent frontal sinus disease. This article reviews previous frontal sinus stenting techniques and introduces a new soft self-retaining frontal sinus stent designed for endoscopic insertion.