Functional endoscopic endonasal sinus surgery. First experiences with a new method

: A material of 46 patients who were treated operatively on account of chronic recurrent sinusitis by functional endoscopic sinus surgery by Messerklinger's method is presented. In 80% the operation was bilateral. As a serious complication, one case of dural lesion occurred. This healed without further complications and without sequelae. Just under 30% experienced slight per- or postoperative complications in the form of haemorrhage and infection. All of the patients participated in a follow-up examination after an average of 13 months' observation. 80-85% stated that they were free from symptoms or had improved after operation. Late complications were insignificant. Half of the patients had synechia formation in the resection area but the presence of synechia was not found to have any significant relationship to the postoperative course. When it is taken into consideration that the first experience with a new method is concerned, the results are considered to be satisfactory. A more extensive patient material with more prolonged observation and experience from other departments are necessary before the employability of the method in the Danish therapeutic system can be assessed.