Patient-reported olfaction improves following outside-in Draf III frontal sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis

The Draf III frontal sinusotomy is an established surgical procedure with an important role in the surgical management of recalcitrant chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). In 2012, the outside-in approach to the Draf III was described as a safe and efficient procedure. Smell recovery in inflammatory CRS is challenging, and to date there is limited evidence suggesting that Draf III improves patient-reported olfactory dysfunction from CRS.

A consecutive series of patients who underwent an outside-in Draf III for inflammatory CRS by a single, tertiary rhinologist were reviewed. Patients were excluded if the Draf III was performed for noninflammatory conditions. Postoperatively, patients were maintained on long-term corticosteroid irrigations, and adherence was assessed. Prospectively collected data included patient demographics, a visual analogue scale for smell, overall Sinonasal Outcome Test Score (SNOT-22), global nasal function score, and a clinician-graded clinical outcome score.

One hundred and four patients (41.1% female) aged 54 ± 12 years underwent an outside-in Draf III. The median follow-up time was 30.6 months (range 12.2-72.1). The majority of patients rated their smell loss as moderate or worse preoperatively; however, this was significantly improved at postoperative review (71.2% vs. 27.6%; Kendall tau-b, P < 0.01). The SNOT-22 score improved after surgery (2.32 ± 1.09 vs. 0.78 ± 0.69, P < 0.0001). Medication adherence was significantly associated with improved clinical outcome score (Kendall tau-b, P < 0.004). Aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease was found to be a significant risk factor predicting poor clinical outcome on univariate analysis (Odds Ratio = 4.69 (1.03-21.2), P = 0.04).

The outside-in Draf III appears to facilitate sustained, meaningful improvement in several self-reported outcomes, including smell. However, further study and comparison to less aggressive surgery will be required to confirm its true benefit.

Level 4 Laryngoscope, 129:25-30, 2019.