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Published on: June 20, 2018
Endoscopic Sinus Surgery for Recurrent Acute Rhinosinusitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Heidi Kaski1,2, Antti Alakärppä1,2, Aleksi Laajala1,2
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.
JAMA Otolaryngology-- Head & Neck Surgery
|June 18, 2026
Summary
Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) significantly improved quality of life for patients with recurrent acute rhinosinusitis (RARS) compared to medical treatment alone over 6 months. ESS is an effective treatment option for RARS.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Surgical Innovation
- Patient Outcomes
Background:
- Recurrent acute rhinosinusitis (RARS) significantly impairs patients' quality of life.
- The efficacy of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for RARS remains understudied.
- Conservative treatments often provide insufficient symptom relief for RARS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the quality of life in RARS patients undergoing ESS plus medical treatment versus medical treatment alone.
- To evaluate the impact of ESS on sinonasal symptoms and healthcare utilization in RARS.
Main Methods:
- An open-label randomized clinical trial involving 59 adult RARS patients.
- Participants were randomized to receive either ESS plus medical treatment or medical treatment alone.
- Quality of life was assessed using the SinoNasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT-22) at a 6-month follow-up.
Main Results:
- Patients receiving ESS showed a significantly greater improvement in mean SNOT-22 scores (22.41 points) compared to the medical treatment group.
- Secondary outcomes largely supported the primary findings, indicating broader benefits of ESS.
- The operative group experienced a low rate of complications, with only 4 patients requiring intervention.
Conclusions:
- Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) demonstrably improves patient-reported outcomes in adults with RARS at 6 months.
- Medical treatment alone showed no clinically meaningful effect on quality of life for RARS patients.
- ESS is presented as an effective and safe treatment option for RARS, with minimal complications.
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