Efficacy of endoscopic sinus surgery in patients under six years old

Harrington Chloe1, Ibrahim Ibrahim1, Hengameh Bezadpour1

  • 1Division of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, D.C, USA.

Insights

Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is safe for children under six with acute or chronic rhinosinusitis, showing minimal complications and no deaths in this young patient group. Further research is recommended for long-term outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Otolaryngology
  • Rhinology
  • Surgical Innovation

Background:

  • Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is increasingly utilized in pediatric otolaryngology.
  • Data on the safety and efficacy of ESS in very young children (under six) is limited.
  • Indications for ESS in this age group often include complicated acute rhinosinusitis (ARS) or chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ESS in pediatric patients under the age of six.
  • To analyze outcomes for very young patients undergoing ESS for ARS or CRS.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort review of patients under six years old who underwent ESS between 2016 and 2023.
  • Data collected included patient demographics, diagnosis, surgical details, and outcomes.
  • Level 4 evidence was utilized.

Main Results:

  • Twenty-five patients (1 month to 5 years) met inclusion criteria.
  • Eighteen patients had complicated ARS, and 7 had CRS.
  • Five patients required revision surgery; only one surgical complication was observed, with no mortalities.

Conclusions:

  • ESS appears safe for very young pediatric patients (under six) with sinonasal pathology.
  • The study observed a low rate of morbidity and no mortality in this cohort.
  • Further investigation into long-term outcomes is warranted, but ESS can be considered safe for acute conditions.
Abstract