Results of endoscopic sinus surgery in pediatric patients with chronic sinusitis and asthma

To determine the efficacy of endoscopic sinus surgery in pediatric patients with chronic sinusitis and asthma.

Patients were selected from the tertiary care practice of a pediatric pulmonologist (R.S.) and immunologist (R.L.W.); all underwent sinus surgery at Children's Medical Center at Dallas (Tex).

Fourteen pediatric patients aged 3.5 to 13 years with severe asthma requiring at least intermittent systemic steroid therapy. All patients had a history of sinusitis aggravating asthma and all had computed tomographic evidence of chronic sinus disease.

All patients underwent endoscopic sinus surgery consisting of bilateral total ethmoidectomies and middle meatus antrostomies at a minimum.

The period 12 months prior to surgery was compared with 12 months postoperatively with regard to total hospitalization days for asthma treatment, number of school days missed, pulmonary function test results, and systemic glucocorticoid medication requirements. Symptom scores for asthma and sinusitis were assessed via parental questionnaire both preoperatively and postoperatively.

No significant difference was found for pulmonary function test results. Eleven of 14 patients demonstrated a significant reduction in hospitalization and school days missed. Twelve of 14 patients experienced a reduction in glucocorticoid requirements. Eleven of 14 and 13 of 14 patients experienced a significant improvement in asthma and sinusitis symptom scores.

Endoscopic sinus surgery was effective in reducing sinusitis and improving the overall management of asthma in a majority of study patients.