Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery as a primary modalityof treatment for primary and recurrent nasal polyposis

Objectives: To describe the efficacy of Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) in our set up in comparison with other published studies to treat primary and recurrent nasal polyposis.

Method: This descriptive study was conducted in 02 years at Ear Nose Throat Department Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Multan from October 2013 to October 2015. Convenient sample comprising 116 patients of both sexes of age group from 18 to 60 years were selected from ENT Out Patient Department, with documented diagnosis of nasal polyposis that underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Out of 116 patients, 15 (12.9%) had recurrent nasal polyposis while 101 (87.1%) had primary nasal polyposis. Patients were assessed clinically. Preoperative nasal endoscopy and CT scan of nose and paranasal sinuses were performed in every patient to assess the extent of disease and evaluate the surgical anatomy. Patients were followed up 03 monthly, 06 monthly and after 01 year. Clinical signs of nasal polyposis were evaluated by nasal endoscopy at each follow up visit.

Results: There were 116 patients with documented diagnosis of nasal polyposis. Among these, 75 (64.7%) were male and 41 (35.3%) were female patients. Mean age of presentation in males was 39.1 years and that of females was 36.7 years. Only 15 patients (12.9%) developed recurrent disease within a year.

Conclusion: Functional endoscopic sinus surgery is preferred as a primary treatment modality for primary and recurrent nasal polyposis. Mucosal polyps can be carefully debrided, the natural ostia enlarged, the ethmoid sinuses are unroofed, and sphenoid sinuses are opened in nasal cavity and sinus nasal mucosa is mostly preserved due to excellent visualization and surgical technique. Improvement in symptoms with minimal chance of recurrence may be expected in more than 90% patients.