Results of endoscopic surgery of the paranasal sinuses and anterior skull base.

Based on the experience with more than one thousand endoscopical interventions at the paranasal sinuses, a concept of the surgical treatment of chronic sinusitis is presented. According to the individual localization and extent of pathologic changes, appropriate operations may be selected. They follow the principles of conservative surgery. Regeneration of the diseased mucosa is enhanced by the reestablishment of ventilation and drainage instead of its radical removal. The endoscopical postoperative care is mandatory. A follow-up of 90 cases has evidenced a difference between subjective evaluation and endoscopic findings. Patients with bronchial asthma had benefits from their sinus surgery. Endoscopic management of foreign bodies, dural fistulas and benign tumors at the anterior skull base has also proven valuable.