The role of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) in patients with asthma with chronic sinusitis.

25 patients of bronchial asthma with chronic sinusitis were operated with the aim to evaluate the efficacy of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) on asthma symptoms. The mean postoperative daytime asthma symptom scores, nocturnal asthma symptom scores, mean postoperative nocturnal awakening scores and number of asthma attacks reduced significantly (p<0.001). The mean FEV(1) observed postoperatively showed significant increase (p<0.001). 21 patients reported overall significant improvement in the asthma. 6 patients were completely taken off from all sort of anti-asthmatic drugs [inhalational corticosteroids (ICS) + long acting β(2) agonist (LABA) ]. In 3 patients there was significant / substantial decrease in the dosage of anti-asthma drugs. It is concluded that FESS is a viable option for improving the control of asthma.