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Functional endoscopic surgery in children: a retrospective analysis of results
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Tex.
Insights
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) effectively treats severe chronic sinusitis in children unresponsive to medical care. This study shows FESS improves symptoms like nasal obstruction and cough in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Allergy and Immunology
Background:
- Chronic sinusitis awareness and understanding in pediatric patients have grown.
- Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is the leading surgical option for children with chronic sinusitis unresponsive to medical treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of FESS in pediatric patients with chronic sinusitis refractory to medical management.
- To assess the impact of FESS on various symptoms associated with chronic sinusitis in children.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study was conducted on pediatric patients (7 months to 17 years) who underwent FESS for chronic sinusitis.
- Data were collected through a comprehensive parental questionnaire and medical chart review.
- Parental interviews were conducted with a mean follow-up of 21.8 months postoperatively.
Main Results:
- FESS demonstrated effectiveness in treating medically recalcitrant severe chronic sinusitis in children.
- Key symptoms evaluated included chronic nasal obstruction, purulent nasal discharge, postnasal drip, chronic cough, halitosis, headaches, behavioral issues, and allergy/asthma symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is a viable and effective treatment for severe chronic sinusitis in children who have not responded to medical therapy.
- FESS can lead to significant improvement in the quality of life for pediatric patients suffering from chronic sinusitis.
Abstract:
The impact of chronic sinusitis on children has become more apparent as the awareness of the disease has increased. Consequently, the knowledge of its effect in the pediatric patient has expanded dramatically. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) has become the primary surgical modality for treatment of this illness in children who have not responded to optimal medical management. A retrospective study was conducted in patients from 7 months to 17 years of age who were treated with FESS for chronic sinusitis refractory to medical therapy. Using a comprehensive parental questionnaire and a review of the medical charts, results were analyzed from these post-FESS children. Parents of the children were interviewed with a mean follow-up time of 21.8 months postoperatively. Factors discussed included chronic nasal obstruction, purulent nasal discharge, postnasal drip, chronic cough, halitosis, headaches, behavioral problems, allergies, and asthma symptoms. This preliminary investigation suggests that FESS is effective in treating medically recalcitrant severe chronic sinusitis in children.