Rhinoplasty and endoscopic surgery for functional and inflammatory nasal/sinus disorders

The rhinoplastic surgeon when faced with nasal sinusitis has traditionally delayed aesthetic treatment of the nose, referring the patient to the ear, nose, and throat consultant until complete resolution of the inflammatory condition. Often, under such a scenario, the patient found the ear, nose, and throat procedure to be a traumatic experience that discouraged further surgery of an aesthetic nature. The advent of functional endoscopic sinus surgery has significantly modified the management of paranasal sinus disorders. This minimally invasive, sophisticated procedure can easily be combined with rhinoplasty. More recently, an endoscopic approach has been advocated for management of the septum and lower/middle turbinates. The authors call this functional endoscopic nasal surgery. Functional endoscopic nasal surgery allows a clearer view of the operative field (septum and turbinates), a more accurate correction of nasal obstruction, and better control of bleeding. Thus, endoscopic techniques permit the treatment of functional and inflammatory nasal disorders in a single stage, along with aesthetic improvement. Only the patient with severe sinusitis is unsuitable for combined therapy. The authors present their experience based on 72 consecutive cases of combined functional endoscopic sinus surgery/functional endoscopic nasal surgery with aesthetic rhinoplasty. Complications were minimal and functional failures were limited to 4 percent, whereas aesthetic outcomes remained uncompromised.