Frontal Sinus Balloon Sinuplasty-Patient Satisfaction and Factors Predicting Reoperation

To explore predictive factors of postoperative outcome of frontal sinus balloon dilation.

Retrospective questionnaire study.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Finland.

We reviewed electronic records of all patients who underwent frontal sinus balloon dilatation (successful or attempted) in our clinic from 2008 to 2019. We documented patient characteristics, preoperative imaging results, intraoperative factors, possible complications, and reoperations. Those who underwent frontal sinus balloon sinuplasty were sent a questionnaire regarding their current symptoms and long-term satisfaction with surgery.

In total, 258 operations (404 frontal sinuses) were reviewed, with a technical success rate of 93.6% (n = 378). The revision rate was 15.7% (n = 38). Previous sinonasal surgery predicted a higher revision rate (p = .004, odds ratio [OR] = 3.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.40-6.56). Patients with hybrid surgery had significantly fewer reoperations compared to the balloon only group (p = .002, OR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.16-0.67). The response rate of the questionnaire was 64.5% (n = 156), of which 88.5% (n = 138) reported a long-term benefit from the balloon sinuplasty. Patient satisfaction was higher (p = .02, OR = 8.26, 95% CI 1.06-64.24) among patients using nasal corticosteroids.

Technical success rate and patient satisfaction after frontal sinus balloon sinuplasty are high. Balloon sinuplasty seems insufficient in reoperations. A hybrid approach appears to result in fewer reoperations than a balloon only approach.