A H Park1, J Lau, J Stankiewicz, J Chow. 1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Nek Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois 60153, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of FESS (functional endoscopic sinus surgery) on sinus and asthma symptoms. METHOD: Seventy-nine patients with asthma and medically unresponsive sinusitis were evaluated. Maximal medical therapy was attempted to relieve both sinus and asthma symptoms. The surgical procedures involved standard FESS techniques. Fifty-six percent of patients had undergone a sinus procedure prior to the FESS. Nasal polyposis was noted in 73% of the group. The majority of patients had pansinusitis. RESULTS: Eighty-six percent of patients stated that FESS improved their sinusitis. Nine of 11 sinus symptoms recorded preoperatively diminished significantly (p < .05) following surgery. Eighty percent of patients noted improvement of their asthma following FESS. The factors associated with treatment failure and the unique characteristics of this disease process were evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: FESS is a viable option in the treatment of asthma when medical therapy fails.
OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of FESS (functional endoscopic sinus surgery) on sinus and asthma symptoms. METHOD: Seventy-nine patients with asthma and medically unresponsive sinusitis were evaluated. Maximal medical therapy was attempted to relieve both sinus and asthma symptoms. The surgical procedures involved standard FESS techniques. Fifty-six percent of patients had undergone a sinus procedure prior to the FESS. Nasal polyposis was noted in 73% of the group. The majority of patients had pansinusitis. RESULTS: Eighty-six percent of patients stated that FESS improved their sinusitis. Nine of 11 sinus symptoms recorded preoperatively diminished significantly (p < .05) following surgery. Eighty percent of patients noted improvement of their asthma following FESS. The factors associated with treatment failure and the unique characteristics of this disease process were evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: FESS is a viable option in the treatment of asthma when medical therapy fails.