[Complications of endonasal paranasal sinus surgery--diagnostic and therapeutic consequences]

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery has been proven the therapeutic method of choice in surgical therapy of chronic sinusitis. On the other hand, endonasal sinus surgery may cause severe complications even when performed by a skilled surgeon. This is easily explained by the close vicinity of many functionally important structures to the operative site.

Three histories are reported that involve possible complications even in apparently simple cases. Diagnostic and therapeutic consequences are discussed. In a case previously diagnosed histologically as chronic unspecific sinusitis, an endonasal biopsy resulted in endocranial bleeding requiring neurosurgical intervention. Midline granuloma was found to be the correct diagnosis. Another patient was seen with a normal X-ray of the sinuses and solitary polypoid structure in his left nose. Polypectomy was planned and a CT scan was performed, which demonstrated a meningocele. Transfacial surgery was then performed to remove the meningocele. Another patient presented with a traumatic impression of the frontal sinus, and open reposition by transfacial surgery of the frontal and ethmoid sinus was planned. When CT scans revealed an uncovered optic nerve in the sphenoid sinus of the fractured side, we abandoned ethmodectomy and performed reposition of the frontal sinus as the only surgical procedure.

In this paper, we show typical complications of endonasal sinus surgery and strategies for avoiding them. If any complication occur, prompt treatment is required. Three groups of complications can be defined: perforation of frontobasal dura resulting in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula, severe bleeding, and orbital or optic nerve injury. When the surgeon discovers an intraoperative complication, possible consequences must be considered immediately to minimize side effects for the patient. A CSF fistula should be closed in the same procedure, and transfacial surgery may be necessary. Hemorrhage resulting from an ethmoidal artery may require frontoorbital surgery and ligation of this vessel. If retrobulbar hemorrhage caused by retraction of an ethmoid artery occurs, immediate intervention is necessary. Usually a transfacial approach, resection of the medial orbital wall and retrobulbar decompression are performed. In some cases lateral canthotomy may be the best way to drain haematoma and decompress the optic nerve. Subsequently, orbital revision and ligation of the retracted artery must be performed. Any delay can result in persistent visual loss. We conclude that the extranasal frontoorbital approach should be part of the residency training program in ENT departments. Any surgeon performing endonasal sinus surgery must be trained in transfacial emergency procedures, which should be part of anatomic preparations in teaching courses, thus avoiding severe damage in case of intraoperative complication.