Evaluation of powered instrumentation in out-patient revisional sinus surgery

A feasibility study was carried out to prove the benefits of powered instrumentation, i.e. microdebrider in revisional surgery under local anaesthesia of chronic sinusitis in out-patients. Acceptance by the patients was investigated by questionnaire. Out-patient surgery is well tolerated by the majority (79.2%) of patients. Ninety-four percent would undergo the treatment again if necessary. An operation under general anaesthesia could be avoided in the cases we submitted to investigation. The cost-effectiveness of the method is thus an important consideration, despite calculating high prime costs and rather expensive, expendable instrumentation. Special consideration is attributed to a new feature added to the debrider device. To improve out-patient care, we developed an integrated electrocoagulation unit which supplements the microdebrider. It proved to be effective and easy to use. Bleeding was reduced to a minimum. Hence, nasal packing could be avoided in all out-patient cases. The possibility of causing severe complications using the microdebrider-technique is not eliminated as was shown in the anatomical specimens. Based on our experience, reduction of strong bony structures is subject to limitations at present. We therefore recommend the use of microdebriders for soft tissue manipulations, especially in revisional surgery. The microdebrider proved to be a significant advantage in out-patient surgery for recurrent sinusitis.